Major Swansea office scheme set for step forward

Aimed at boosting city centre footfall, the five-storey office development would accommodate up to 800 workers on the upper floors, with commercial premises including food and beverage on the ground floor.

Swansea Council’s cabinet is now being asked to approve funding to enable detailed designs and other work-up costs to take place.

The council says that the appointment of a main contractor to build the development would then follow, with construction earmarked to start in early 2026.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “There’s a lack of high-quality office accommodation in Swansea city centre, so this scheme – along with developments like 71/72 Kingsway and Princess Quarter – will help meet that need.

“It will also help to support our existing city centre businesses and attract new businesses there because of the footfall it will create.

“This is one part of a regeneration programme worth over £1bn that’s ongoing to create a more thriving city centre for the benefit of our residents and businesses.

“It will follow on from everything that’s been achieved so far, including Swansea Arena and the reopened Palace Theatre building.”

Swansea Council would take up a floor at the new office development, with the remaining office space set to be split between other public sector bodies and private sector businesses.

The council and its regeneration partners Urban Splash are developing the new building, with the council retaining ownership.

This would form part of the first phase of the overall site’s redevelopment being led by Urban Splash.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “Plans for the remainder of the former St David’s Shopping Centre site continue to be developed, but they could include educational and residential uses alongside cafes, restaurants and lots of green space.

“Designs will be made available for public feedback as soon as they’re finalised.”

The new office scheme is set for completion in 2027, helping free-up the city’s seafront Civic Centre site for redevelopment.

Urban Splash are also developing proposals for the Civic Centre site that the council says will be announced as soon as details are available.

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Site investigation works to start on new city office development

Swansea Council say the works are due to start on Monday 17 March and could take over a week to complete.

The council say the work will help pave the way for a new Public Sector Hub scheme that’s aimed at helping boost city centre footfall.

The grassed area outside St David’s Church Hall will be fenced off while the works are ongoing and the council say that every effort will be made to minimise disruption.

The Public Sector Hub will include commercial floor space for shops and restaurants on the ground floor. Swansea Council and a range of other public sector partners will occupy office space above.

Made up of four floors above ground level and one floor below, the council say that hundreds of workers will be based at the Public Sector Hub.

The council and its regeneration partners Urban Splash will develop the proposed new building, with the council retaining ownership.

This would form part of the first phase of the overall site’s redevelopment being led by Urban Splash, who are continuing to work on plans for the rest of the site.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “We all want our city centre to succeed and to have more shops and other businesses, but we know more footfall is needed to support our existing traders and attract new investment.

“That’s not just the case in Swansea – it’s the same in many other city and town centres across the UK because of challenges like online shopping.

“Schemes like the Public Sector Hub will combine with many others to locate thousands more jobs in the city centre, which will help boost spending there and encourage more shops to open up.

“This scheme will also enable the redevelopment of the Civic Centre site on the seafront. Our regeneration partners Urban Splash are working on detailed proposals for that site, which will be announced as soon as they’re finalised.”

The council say it’s anticipated construction on the Public Sector Hub itself will start on site by the end of 2025.

(Lead image: Swansea Council)

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