37 and 39 Jamaica Street, Bristol
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| 37 and 39 Jamaica Street | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Location within Bristol | |
| General information | |
| Location | Bristol, England |
| Coordinates | 51°27′46″N 2°35′26″W / 51.462664°N 2.590477°W |
| Completed | 1905 (additional floors 1909) |
37 - 39 Jamaica Street is the address of Jamaica Street Studios and KIT FORM, previously a historic carriage-works in Jamaica Street, Stokes Croft, Bristol.
The top 3 floors of the building are inhabited by artist-led Jamaica Street Studios, home to 30 artist studios and over 30 artists, for over 30 years. [1]
Jamaica Street Studios is a Community Interest Company (CIC) meaning that they can only use their assets to fulfil their not-for-profit aims of providing affordable artist studios and expanding access to the arts. [2]
Since 2023 the ground floor has been run by the artist group and a small team as the collaborative, creative, artist-led space KIT FORM. The space has been used for exhibitions, workshops, film-screenings, events and live music.
In 2024 Jamaica Street Studios launched a Crowdfunder campaign to purchase 37 - 39 Jamaica Street and save it from being put on the open market. [3] Having secured £500,400 from the Community Ownership Fund, it was necessary to fundraise at least £100,000 to unlock the fund. With other 1000 supporters, the studios were able to fundraise over £106,000 through Crowdfunder UK. This meant that they were able to purchase the building and secure a legacy of community ownership, protecting the building as a community space, for the arts, forever. [4]
It was originally built in 1905 as a two-storey building, but a further two floors were later added.[5]
After the hulk HMS Daedalus was sold for scrap in 1911, 37 Jamaica street became the home of the Bristol Royal Naval Reserve unit, before moving to the 24-class sloop HMS Flying Fox in the 1920s.[6]
Between 1975 and 2001 it was occupied by Powred Heating & Burner Spares, a local supplier of parts for central heating systems.
It has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II listed building.[5]
