As a visitor to Cardiff you immediately notice there is a great deal of construction work going on and much of it is on some very big schemes. Images by South Wales Echo
From state of the art media HQs in the city centre to thousands of student rooms, there are some major building projects underway across Cardiff. They reflect what is currently an optimistic time for Welsh construction. Whilst these projects are all worth celebrating we cannot rest on our laurels.
As we look to how we can adapt and cope with the skills issues and learn to embrace the benefits of the circular economy – here is a brief rundown on the schemes going on right now in Cardiff courtesy of the Wales on Line web site.
This is Central Square Cardiff right now –
And this is an artist impression of 2 Central Square when it is completed:
Central Square is the area outside the central railway station . It will eventually include a new bus station and offices. Two projects being built now are the new £120m BBC Wales headquarters and Two Central Square which will be home to Cardiff University’s journalism school and Hugh James solicitors.
The only building so far completed is the office block One Central Square.
Marland House has already been demolished and the NCP car park is set to be next to make way for the new bus station.
Capital Quarter
How it looks now:
How it will look:
The site off Tyndall Street has been transformed into the "Capital Quarter".
Property developer JR Smart is behind the huge scheme, which includes offices and student accommodation.
In September, a 600-student bedroom block, with a public park space is due to open.
Fitzalan Court student flats
How it looks now:
How the developer says The Fitzalan will look:
Hoardings cover Fitzalan Court off Newport Road where 256 student flats will be built in the former office block.
The redevelopment will cost £30m and will be called "The Fitzalan".
Students will share a common room area in the basement as well as a gym, cinema, lounge, games area, coffee bar and study areas.
Howard Gardens, Adamsdown
How it looks now:
Artist impression of the Howard Gardens project
Eclipse are behind the transformation of land at the former Art and Design College into a massive student unit.
Planning permission was granted in March 2015 for 686 student rooms. The complex also includes a bar, library, gym and cinema room. It is due to open this September.
But now planning consultants Alder King have said there is “uncertainty about student uptake in the first year of operation”.
They asked for permission to be able to let them out to non-students to keep the project alive.
City Road, Cardiff
How it looks now:
How one of the new schemes on City Road will look
There are a number of developments ongoing on City Road, and most are for student accommodation.
While the former Cardiff and Vale College building on the corner with The Parade is already open as a student block, two more are following.
A nine storey building would be built at 11-13 City Road. On the ground floor would be shops with eight floors of student accommodation above.
This development would be linked to the 11-storey former Coleg Glan Hafren building (35 The Parade) which is in the process of being converted into student accommodation by the same developer.
Student accommodation has also been approved at 21-27 City Road for 140 bedrooms.
The former Poets Corner is also to be developed and turned into an 11 storey building containing 124 flats.
How student accommodation is changing the face of Cardiff
Caradog House, St Andrew’s Place, Cathays
How it looks now:
How the scheme should look when it's completed
Demolition crews have been working inside this city office block for a few months.
It will eventually be home to 378 students living in 152 double occupancy studios known as “twodios”, 40 studios and 17 double occupancy studios.
The 1970s five and six storey office block will also have a courtyard, a common room, meeting rooms, cinema and gym.
Planners said the current building is “of little historic value” and does not make a “positive contribution” to the street.
Bridge Street tower
Student flats are being built on Bridge street
How it looks now:
How it will look:
Work to get ready for the whopping 26 storey tower at Bridge Street is also ongoing.
Two existing buildings are being demolished to make room for the tower on the corner of Charles Street and Bridge Street.
There will be 463 bedspaces, including 121 studio bedrooms and 72 “cluster flats” – a number of single bedrooms each with a study area and shower/toilet but shared living space.
There will also be a roof garden for students.
