A Bittersweet Moment

A Bittersweet Moment

I don’t usually consider myself an overly emotional person—after all, I’m a man, so perhaps that’s to be expected. But today, as I walked around a familiar site, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of both sadness and excitement.

Nearly 20 years ago to the day, we handed over Porsche Bristol to Dick Lovett, a project filled with excitement, pride, and elation. We had delivered a state-of-the-art facility to an important client, and at that moment, it felt like the pinnacle of our achievement.

Fast forward two decades, and I found myself watching as that same building was reduced to rubble and dust, erased by two machines in just a matter of days. As I walked through the empty shell of what once was, it felt like stepping into a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie. The building stood frozen in time, a reminder of how much progress the world has made. The technology, the construction methods, and the cladding systems we once marveled at now seemed incredibly outdated. What was once seen as cutting-edge now felt small, dark, and constrained.

In a way, it felt wasteful to demolish a structure that held so many memories, but at the same time, it was clear there was no way to re-purpose a building that couldn’t keep pace with the demands of the mordern Porsche market.

Thankfully i am glad to say that the nostalgia didn’t last long once I reminded myself of what’s coming next. We’re about to embark on 12 months of trials, challenges, and triumphs as we construct yet another Dick Lovett masterpiece. A new Porsche Centre is about to rise like a pheonix from the ashes—bigger, brighter, and far more impressive than the last.

It really is a bitter sweet moment, but we can’t wait to watch the project unfold. We’re looking forward to sharing this journey with you, and we’ll be posting regular updates over the next year. Be sure to follow Pier Architects to stay in the loop as we bring this new landmark to life.