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Plans to turn empty offices into apartments approved

31 Jul 2024 2 minute read
The location of the Scott Harbour offices which will be turned into apartments after plans were approved by Cardiff Council. Photo Google Maps/Holder Mathias Architects.

Ted Peskett, local democracy reporter

Plans to transform former offices in Cardiff Bay into apartments have been given the go ahead.

Rightacres put forward their scheme to change the use of the Scott Harbour buildings on Pierhead Street in 2023.

The phased project will see the empty office building turned into 101 apartments.

It will also eventually include a gym, commercial unit and a co-working office.

Recent images of the Scott Harbour offices show scaffolding erected at the back of the building and construction vehicles operating nearby.

Cardiff Council published a notice of its approval on Friday, July 26.

Re-invigorate

Rightacres said in a 2023 planning statement that the Scott Harbour project provides an opportunity to “re-invigorate a vacant office building that is demonstrating no market interest into much needed residential accommodation”.

The statement goes on to add that future residents will be “well serviced” with private and communal amenity spaces, cafes and an “excellent aspect on to Cardiff Bay”.

Land Registry documents show Scott Harbour was sold to Rightacres in January 2024 for £4.5m.

The project will add to Rightacres growing portfolio of developments in Cardiff city centre, which includes the new BBC Cymru Wales headquarters, the new HMRC building and number one and two Central Square.

Rightacres is also behind the Central Quay development which will see the former Brains brewery site turned into 700 apartments and commercial floorspace.

The 101 apartments, to be spread across the first and fourth levels of the building, will comprise of 72 one-bedroom apartments, 22 two-bedroom apartments and seven three-bedroom apartments.

A Cardiff Council planning report shows that 10 apartments will have access to private balconies and 36 will be serviced apartments.

The exisiting Scott Harbour site comprises Emperor House, Terra Nova House, Alexander House and Discovery House. It was built in 1997.

Most of the changes to the building are being made internally. However, there will be some alterations to the building’s facade, including recladding work, panelling and glazing.

There will also be a new entrance created on Bute Place.

The existing underground car park which is accessible from Falcon Drive will be retained to provide 116 car parking spaces.

On the basement level, there will be also 134 cycle parking spaces.


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Ap Kenneth
2 months ago

Better for a building to be repurposed rather than demolished, especially as it is only 27 yrs old.

Abu Dhabi Jones
Abu Dhabi Jones
2 months ago

Cardiff is a failure. Far too ugly & useless in attracting any kind of business.

Welsh Patriot
Welsh Patriot
2 months ago

I thought the Bay was meant to attract businesses from across the UK.
It seems to me the only thing businesses down there are ones paid for out the public purse.
Its a sad reflection on inward investment in Wales, if a purpose built CatA offices in the capital city now have to be turned in flats?

Hywel
Hywel
2 months ago
Reply to  Welsh Patriot

There’s no demand for office space down the bay. That’s why there’s so much office space being built in town – thats where the demand is.

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