MASSIVE PLANS FOR CAPITAL’S BRAINS SITE UNVEILED
THESE pictures show the ambitious plans that have been developed for the biggest regeneration scheme ever seen in Wales.
Central Quay, on the site of Brains Brewery in the centre of Cardiff, would see more than 2.5 million square feet of development.
It would include new bars, restaurants, and apartments and would create and support thousands of jobs.
A planning application for the first phase of the ambitious project has now been submitted to Cardiff Council. SA Brain & Co will relocate to a new brewery and office headquarters in Cardiff Bay in the spring of next year.
The scale of Central Quay could be extended to 14 acres by bringing in land owned by Network Rail immediately south of Cardiff Central railway station and the existing BMW car dealership site.
Central Quay, running along the river Taff with a waterfront plaza, could see:
■ 1,000 apartments;
■ 50 bars and restaurants;
■ 1.5 million square feet of new office space;
■ a multi-storey car park for 650 vehicles;
■ a 300,000 sq ft new university campus;
■ the historic Brains-branded chimney remaining as a key feature, and
■ the original 19th-century brewhouse forming a backdrop to the riverside plaza with a huge central water feature.
Cardiff Metropolitan University has identified Central Quay as its preferred location for its School of Technologies, which aims to have 2,000 new students by 2023.
A decision on whether it will commit to a new-build campus at Central Quay is expected shortly.
Central Quay is the latest development from Cardiff-based property development firm Rightacres, which is behind the now well-advanced Central Square regeneration scheme by Cardiff Central railway station.
Rightacres is working closely with Transport for Wales, Network Rail, Arriva Trains Wales and Cardiff Council’s transport department to ensure that the scheme can incorporate a fully integrated transport solution as part of the wider Metro plans.
This could see a light rail or tram station at Central Quay – and at the back of Cardiff Central station – with a route to Cardiff Bay. Also planned is a dedicated coach station and an undercover taxi rank.
Following an expected six-month planning process, work on the first phase of Central Quay could start in September and be completed by June 2020. The includes the 12-storey Ledger building, which will be Wales’ largest-ever speculative office scheme aimed at the financial and professional services sector. The proposed landmark building will also include the Market Place, a 15,000 sq ft indoor hall that will showcase Welsh chefs, food and drink producers. Chief executive of Rightacres, Paul McCarthy, pictured, said: “Central Quay will create a new chapter for a site with a long history bringing new ideas, creativity and ambition to this vibrant city-centre location.
“It is poised to become Cardiff’s focal gathering place for businesses and visitors with live music, a wide choice of bars and restaurants and a calendar of events such as food and beer festivals.”
Following a three-month consultation period with local residents and businesses, Rightacres said it had tailored the scheme to reflect some of the suggestions made.
Mr McCarthy said: “Overall the feedback from local businesses and residents was hugely positive.
“Understandably, some residents were concerned about the environmental impact a development of this scale can have, and as a result, we will be setting ourselves ambitious sustainability targets including minimising the materials taken to landfill sites and maximising the recycling opportunities.”
The Central Quay masterplan has been designed by international architectural practice Benoy.
The Ledger office building has been designed by Cardiff-based architectural firm Rio.
The designers have worked closely with the Design Commission for Wales and Cardiff Council’s planning team.
Chief executive of SA Brain & Co Scott Waddington said: “We are well under way with our relocation plans and are looking forward to moving to our new home.
“Not only is our existing site offering such an exciting development for central Cardiff, but it also affords us the opportunity to invest in a new brewery and office facility to take our business forward.
“We look forward to continuing to work with Rightacres on delivering Central Quay which will include the clear presence of Brains’ heritage within the development.”