32-STOREY TOWER PLAN FOR CAPITAL
THESE imposing new towers could be the latest to be built for Cardiff’s students.
The four connected towers, ranging between 11 and 32 storeys tall, would be built on the junction of Newport Road and Fitzalan Place, next to the Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel.
The new structures would include a total of 464 student bedrooms.
As part of the plans, the five-storey Hallinans House on Newport Road – which was built in the 1960s – would be demolished.
The new blocks would be clad in lead, copper, graphite, zinc and silvercoloured cladding.
“They are stepped in height across the length of the site to create a slender and elegant profile on the Cardiff skyline,” according to the planning application.
Developers say the plans will “provide a landmark building of stand out quality and provide a distinctive and positive addition to the city’s skyline”.
The highest floor would be student space offering “spectacular views across Cardiff”.
The building would include a cafe or coffee shop on the ground floor and the designs show a double-level first floor surrounded by glass. The first floor would have study areas, a gym and other student spaces.
Changes have been made through the design process including more space created between the towers and the existing Cromwell House. At one point, it was just one metre.
The number of beds has been cut from 550 to 464 and a new public area created outside.
A report to city planners says the existing tenants, including Howell Solicitors, will move elsewhere.
The report says that refurbishing the building is “unviable”.
It adds that losing 1,260sq m of office space “will not have any noticeable impact” on the city.
Elsewhere in the city, other tall, purpose-built student accommodation has been agreed by the city council.
Permission for a 26-storey tower at Bridge Street and Charles Street, has already been given.
A 42-storey tower was also approved for land at Custom House Street.
Other accommodation blocks are approved for Windsor House, Caradog House and York Hotel.
The developer says there is a demand for new student beds,
It says that while there are a lot of new blocks being built, “between 14,000 and 21,000 students... form the market for purpose-built student accommodation”.
They say this would be “high quality” and “highly sustainable”.
It would also redevelop a building “that is reaching the end of its useful life as office floorspace”.
The plans are available to view on the Cardiff council website.