Barton House, Bristol

Barton House is a residential tower block in the Barton Hill area of Bristol, England. It is the city's oldest tower block and was officially opened on 23 July 1958.

History
Barton House was constructed by 1958 at a cost of £315,744 (now more than £6.1 million). Strengthening works and concrete repairs were carried out around 1970, but there were no records of any structural surveys between then and at least 2018.

On 14 November 2023, Bristol City Council declared a risk of building collapse, ordering all residents to evacuate. This was due to "major structural faults" being discovered. Surveys at three of the 98 flats found there was a "risk to the structure of the block" in the event of a fire, explosion or large impact. The structural issues are reportedly not due to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). Around 400 people were told to find alternative accommodation. The city council offered compensation to residents and temporary housing in a nearby Holiday Inn hotel, and payment of taxi fees resulting from the evacuation. On 28 November, it was revealed that the city council expected residents to continue payment of rent, allegedly for contractual reasons.

On 10 January 2024, the city council announced that residents should be able to return to their homes in February, after work to secure the safety of the building started on 8 January.