IS THIS HOWELLS’ FUTURE?
PLANS for the potential redevelopment of the Howells building in Cardiff have been published.
They include options for a hotel and opening up the centre of the site to a large public space.
The plans, which are all subject to planning, have three options for development on the site:
■ Hotel layout comprises 16 floors, with 214 units ;
■ Apart-hotel layout proposes 134 units over 10 floors ;
■ Boutique hotel layout proposes 67 units over four floors
The hotel and apart-hotel scheme would be housed in a new purpose-built building/extension that would overlook the new public pace. The boutique hotel would see the Howells building that fronts onto St Mary Street renovated.
The hotel scheme would see a 6,235 sq ft roof terrace and bar on the 15th floor. It also shows plans for a hotel gym / fitness spa, conference area and retail space.
The apart-hotel plans include an area of around 4,000 sq ft on the ground floor for a third party bar or cafe. The scheme would also have a hotel gym / fitness spa. The apart-hotel plans show the building at 10 floors high.
The boutique hotel plans, which fronts onto St Mary Street, would see a restaurant or retail space on the ground floor, along with an entrance lobby.
Whichever scheme is chosen, it will see a large section of the 1.7 acres left for retail.
The landlord for the building, Azeemeh Zaheer, CEO of Naissance Capital Real Estate, said: “I confirm that we fully intend to keep a large retail presence and keen to keep the Howells name very much alive.
“It’s a big part of the city’s heritage. We must remember that the site is very large, and no single retailer will require the full 277,000sq ft.
“Many of the people working onsite will tell you that they are not fully utilizing the entire space. There is room to create more business alongside them, as well as, upgrade the building.
“That, in turn, would double the amount of jobs. We want to help our retailer(s) increase footfall, as well as create a good experience for the shoppers. That means we are analysing a number of options that add value to the retail experience.
“A boutique hotel is only one option which may, or, may not happen. We are also looking at new restaurants and leisure activities. Needless to say, whatever the complimentary options might be, the core of the Howells site will be retail.
“As the changing nature of retail requires an integrated approach to succeed; experiential retail is the future. What I mean by that is that there must be a strong human element. Retailers are creating more activities for their customers either by product demonstrations and talks, or having onsite fashion shows, and other fun activities to create a fun alternative to online shopping.”
EJ Hales is marketing the development for Naissance Capital, with serviced apartment and apart-hotel specialist Saxbury is marketing the potential hotel option for the site and “invites all interested hospitality companies to come forward with their suggestions for one of the proposed schemes.”