The big landmark buildings in Cardiff that don’t have to be where they are
There are huge sites in Cardiff with the potential to be relocated elsewhere – in the process making available hundreds of acres for regeneration schemes that could create and support thousands of jobs, reports Sion Barry
Cardiff Prison
If you were to build a new prison for Cardiff, not many would opt for a location right in the city centre.
The Victorian-built facility is currently home to more than 800 inmates.
Any relocation would be a decision for the UK Government, which has been investing in a new wave of so-called “super-prisons”, with one recently opening in Wrexham – and in the process generating revenues from the selloff of existing and aging prisons, many of which are in prime citycentre locations.
There aren’t currently any plans for a super-prison in south Wales – but if realised, it should be located outside of the capital – somewhere in the wider Cardiff Capital Region.
Of course, any new super-prison in south-east Wales would not only need to be served by good road access, but also public transport in terms of bus and rail.
It should also be located near to a Metro station. The next phase of the Metro integrated transport network from the Welsh Government will see electrification of the Valley Lines.
And if relocated, the prison would open up a huge commercial development site in the heart of Cardiff, with close proximity to Queen Street train station.
It could easily accommodate one million square foot of new mixed-use regeneration projects, including retail, residential and new office space. Motorpoint Arena
The existing Motorpoint Arena, which has a capacity for around 5,000 spectators, has served the city well for decades – but it needs a larger new state-of-the art facility that can not only stage bigger concerts, but major conferences and exhibitions as well.
So could Live Nation – which owns and runs the arena – potentially be part of the solution by becoming a joint partner to realise a new 15,000-seater indoor arena for the capital?
Cardiff council has a goal of helping to secure a new indoor arena in the city. It is currently assessing a number of options.
Possible locations include a five-acre site – which could be extended – at the south side of Callaghan Square, which the Welsh Government owns.
And there is also potential on a near 40-acre riverfront site, owned by Cardiff council and property development firm Vastint, off Dumballs Road, just yards from Cardiff train station.
If a new facility is built, the existing site, which the council owns the freehold to, could be sold for redevelopment – with the proceeds helping to part finance a new arena which could cost up to £100m.
And it would be an even bigger development site if the adjoining car park and offices, owned by property development firm Rapport, were included.
As well as offices and leisure facilities, any regeneration scheme could also feature private residential accommodation, including units to encourage more families to live in the centre of Cardiff.
And Cardiff Blues also have plans for an ambitious £180m scheme to develop a new covered rugby stadium, which can be transformed into an indoor arena and convention centre, at its current Arms Park site.
However, despite numerous options, the reality is that there can only be one project and location for an indoor arena.
The project, though, would need approval from its current landlord, Cardiff Athletic Club. As well as staging rugby matches, the proposed indoor complex could stage up a 100 events a year. Welsh Government offices at Cathays Park The Welsh Government has a massive presence at Cardiff’s civic centre in Cathays Park.
It has two sprawling buildings, of which one is listed. Together they employ around 2,600 staff and extend to nearly 38,000 square metres, or if you prefer just over 400,000 sq ft.
While the smaller listed building’s facade would have to be maintained, the larger building could be subject to redevelopment, or even demolished altogether.
And in keeping with the civic centre environment, part of the land could become a focal point public space with art on display.
And if the Welsh Government were ever to relocate, it wouldn’t necessarily be a case of moving all jobs to Cardiff Bay to be close to the Senedd and Ty Hywel buildings in a new office scheme.
Depending on the terms of the contract agreed with the company chosen to design and build the next phase of the Metro with Valley Lines electrification – as well as running the next Wales and borders rail franchise from October 2018 – there could be up to 12