Five iconic buildings in redevelopment schemes
Cities are continually changing and evolving. And that brings opportunities to breathe new life into older buildings and sites with new regeneration projects.
Cardiff is no different, with a recent example being the creation of Cardiff Bay over the past 25 years at its once-thriving docks.
And in another example of scale and ambition, subject to planning, work on the first phase of the Central Quay scheme – which over time could see more than two million sq ft of new office, residential and leisure space built – will start next year on the existing Brains brewery site in the centre of capital.
And while there are no firm plans yet, here are a number of other large building sites that could be transformed in the years ahead.
COUNTY HALL
The building, with its sprawling car park, is the administrative headquarters of Cardiff council, having formerly been the head offices of the South Glamorgan County Council.
County Hall is currently on a list of six possible sites for the proposed 15,000-seater indoor arena which Cardiff council is looking to deliver.
The reality is that it is unlikely to be taken forward. But that doesn’t mean that the council shouldn’t look to sell the site in the future.
It is currently evaluating its entire property portfolio, and while it’s a little premature to say they are going be moving out of Cardiff Bay any time soon, if they did it would create a hugely valuable regeneration site which could be housing-led.
I have always maintained that the council, the city’s universities and
THE COUNCIL’S AMBITIOUS VISION FOR THE CITY CENTRE
A NEW art museum, new sports stadiums, offices and attractions are among the ambitious plans being touted for Cardiff.
A new document spelling out its vision for the city has been published by the council.
It also suggests a New York-style park attraction.
There are now three months for people to have their say on the ideas.
The plan divides the city into five zones – the city centre, Cardiff Bay, north Cardiff, east Cardiff and west Cardiff. Cardiff Bay – leisure zone
Six sites for a new indoor arena have already been made public by the council, but this document suggests the new arena would be in the Bay.
It wants to build on the redevelopment of the Coal Exchange colleges and the Welsh Government should look to agree a joint strategy on property.
As well as identifying properties surplus to requirement that could be placed in a large portfolio for sale or be turned into much-needed new housing, they could relocate staff to new public-sector hub buildings.
And with turn-up-and-go rail services once the Valley Lines are electrified, they needn’t be based in Cardiff, especially as the 10 local authorities that make up the Cardiff Capital Region are committed to creating more shared services.
This consolidation of property interests is something already being taken forward by the UK Government, by improving the rest of Mount Stuart Square.
A ‘new family attraction’ is proposed but no details are given.
Another new attraction at the Graving Docks, near Techniquest, is touted, along with a new contemporary art gallery, a science experience venue and a new home for the Cardiff Story Museum.
They also suggest a ‘High Line’ – similar to New York’s pedestrianised public park along a former railway line above street level – to tempt people to Cardiff Bay.
A new ‘leisure transit system’ is also suggested. West Cardiff – sports zone
The council promises to continue investing in the west of the city as a sports area.
It includes looking at a new home with a 270,000 sq ft public-sector hub building at the Central Square regeneration scheme in the centre of Cardiff, which will house a new headquarters for HMRC in Wales and the Wales Office, but which could also accommodate other non-devolved civil service departments.
SPORT WALES NATIONAL CENTRE
Does the Sport Wales National Centre need to be at its current location in Sophia Gardens?
The building, alongside its artificial sports pitch, would create another huge development opportunity for Cardiff Blues, enhancing Glamorgan Cricket’s facilities and creating Wales’‘foremost location for sport, leisure and recreation’ at the International Sports Village.
The council also suggests a new home for Sport Wales, currently at Sophia Gardens. East Cardiff – industrial zone
Industry is the suggested use for land in east Cardiff.
It suggests a new Cardiff Parkway railway station as well as the completion of the Eastern Bay link road and the creation of a new business park.
There is also a plan for an Eastern Distribution Centre. North Cardiff – ‘Northern Knowledge Quarter’
They want a new ‘innovation park’ for a variety of uses, including a major hotel, just yards from the city centre.
There would be a cost to finding and funding a new location for Sport Wales, but that opens up the prospect of the body securing more land for outdoor sporting activities.
And the current site would easily command well north of £1m an acre, which could help finance new sporting facilities.
If a regeneration scheme ever materialises, a new Sport Wales National Centre, along with the offices of Sports Wales, could be located elsewhere in Wales, outside Cardiff.
As part of any regeneration of the Sophia Gardens site, it would make at Maindy Park and the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) in Heath, a new science park off the M4 and a new circle line to ensure people can travel around the city in a loop. Cardiff central – business hub
The council says the city centre has to remain a place people want to visit.
Most of the suggestions for the centre of the city have already been made public.
They include office space at Central Square, money for Cardiff Central railway station, and the Brains brewery development.
Other suggestions are to complete Callaghan Square and, if the Motorpoint Arena moved after a new indoor arena was built, ‘new public spaces’ could be built there.
And they repeat promises to build a bus station. sense to masterplan with the SSE Swalec Stadium, the test match cricket venue that is also home to Glamorgan Cricket, in mind.
There is land at the stadium that could be developed, while the stadium itself could potentially be redesigned to accommodate and fit into any mixed-used scheme on the Sport Wales site.
MOTORPOINT ARENA
Located in the centre of Cardiff, the Motorpoint Arena is also on Cardiff council’s shortlist for the proposed indoor arena.
If selected, it would be at least an 18-month build period, during What else?
The document also puts an emphasis on keeping major events coming to Cardiff and making the city inclusive.
Cabinet member Russell Goodway said: ‘There is no doubt that we need to be better connected by improving the transport infrastructure, create more better-paid jobs, tackle the issues of inequality and be smart both by embracing technology improvements as well as responding intelligently to the issues that a city has to deal with.
‘Working with the private sector, government and our partners, the new strategy will need to set out the council’s intended focus of investment which is in the city centre, Cardiff Bay, innovation in north Cardiff, a Western Sport Cluster, and industry in the east of the city.’