The Chocolate Quarter Roof Garden

idverde has completed the construction of five roof gardens at The Chocolate Quarter, an award-winning retirement community developed within the historic former Fry’s chocolate factory in Bristol. The project formed part of the wider regeneration of the landmark 1920s buildings, creating accessible outdoor spaces that enhance wellbeing for residents and care home users.

Appointed in 2017, idverde delivered the complete roof garden package across first and second floor levels, combining soft and hard landscaping to create high-quality communal environments. The works included the installation of bespoke steel planting beds, extensive planting, pergolas, seating areas, pedestal paving, acoustic fencing, irrigation systems and decorative water features, creating vibrant gardens designed for relaxation, social interaction and everyday enjoyment.

Delivering the project presented significant logistical challenges. Restricted access to the roof levels meant all materials had to be lifted into position by crane, requiring careful planning to minimise disruption and maximise efficiency. The programme was sequenced to allow paving works to be completed first, creating storage areas for subsequent construction phases. Steel planting beds, soil installation and planting were then completed in carefully coordinated stages, reducing crane movements and maintaining an efficient workflow throughout the project.

The largest roof garden was prioritised to meet the client’s programme requirements before work continued across the remaining four gardens. During construction, the site remained closed to ensure the safety of residents, contractors and visitors.

As work progressed, the team also responded to unforeseen site conditions after discovering roof levels differed from the original design drawings. Material specifications, including the pedestal paving system, were successfully adapted to accommodate these changes while maintaining the quality and integrity of the final design.

The completed roof gardens provide residents with accessible green spaces that support health, wellbeing and social connection while complementing the heritage character of the development.

The quality of the project was recognised nationally when it received the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) National Award in the Green Roof Installations and Roof Gardens category at the 2018 awards.