New government hub in Cardiff topped out
THE construction of what will be the biggest-ever office scheme in Wales has reached its top floor.
And to mark progress on the 270,000 sq ft new UK government hub building in the centre of Cardiff, a topping-out ceremony has been held of its 12th and top floor.
The 6 Central Square office scheme, which will house 4,000 workers, is the latest project in the wider Central Square development from developer Rightacres Property.
The building, designed by worldleading architectural firm Gensler, will be home to the new headquarters for HMRC in Wales – which is relocating its main tax office in Wales in the Llanishen area of the Cardiff to the building.
It will be one of 13 new regional centres for HMRC across the UK.
Staff will move into the £100m scheme from 2020.
The hub will also be the new home of the Wales Office, which will relocate its team of around 25 from its current offices in Cardiff Bay.
The building, which is due for completion in late 2019, will also have space for other UK government departments and organisations, such as Innovate UK, to use.
The hub was chosen by the Government Property Unit of the UK government after a competitive bidding process.
HMRC will occupy just over 87% of the building, on the site of the former headquarters and printing press of Media Wales, publisher of the Western Mail.
The main contractor for the building is Sir Robert McAlpine. Some 400 jobs are being created during the construction period.
Chief executive of Rightacres Paul McCarthy said: “The topping out of the HMRC building not only marks a major milestone for the building, but also marks the fifth anniversary of the Central Square concept being given the go-ahead.
“It was September 2013 when Cardiff Council Cabinet voted in favour of the project, and since then over one million square feet of office space has been built and a new gateway to Wales’ capital city created.
“We are very lucky to have an incredibly committed design and construction team that has made the Central Square vision a reality.”
Sarah Pearson, regional implementation lead for HMRC, the major occupier, said: “Celebrating this important milestone is another step towards creating the UK government hub in Cardiff, the new home for HMRC’s regional centre in Wales.
“We are creating a modern, collaborative workspace for our employees and, when completed, the Central Square development will be a great place to work.”
Glynne Jones, director of the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales, said: “The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales is delighted to be part of the new UK government hub development at the heart of Cardiff’s city centre.
“Bringing several UK government departments together in one stateof-the-art facility will lead to much greater collaboration and will send a clear message that we are visible, accessible and helping to improve people’s lives in Wales.”
Hector McAlpine, of Sir Robert McAlpine, said: “Construction of the 12-storey office building commenced in autumn 2017 and is on schedule to be completed late 2019.
“This will coincide with the 150th anniversary of the founding of Sir Robert McAlpine, who has been delivering projects in Wales for over 100 years.”