General Developments

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/wales/redevelopment-of-cardiff-office-building-revealed

Another tower proposal, student housing. It'll be interesting to see if this gets through planning. Is the demand for student housing picking back up?

Well it's interesting that this one (which is big!) has popped up and talk of Hallinans house being demolished recently. Anyway back to this one loads to look at here.. https://www.colicoliving.com/friary-house-cardiff-pac

I like this - but it makes me wonder how Capital Tower (I think it was Pearl Assurance Tower originally?) ever got planning permission......

Looks okay that, like you say Paul, it makes you wonder about the Newport Road/Fitzalan Place tower as well, would be great to see that start.

I work across the road at L&G at the moment so will keep an eye out for activity on office days.

Why would it not have had planning permission ?
It was built in the 60's
It's across the road from the civic centre, so it's not as if Capital Tower was obstructing any views or replacing any great buildings.
Also around that time Cardiff Council seemed to be pushing for more "skyscrapers".
Newport Road was supposed to become the "skyscraper district" of the city.
I've always thought that Capital Tower should have been twice the height, and should have had a twin neighbour.
It would have looked a bit like a half scale World Trade Centre.

Why would it not have had planning permission ?

Because it involved the demolition of one of the few medieval buildings in Cardiff, the ruined Greyfriars friary / Herbert mansion. It wouldn't have stood a chance of getting permission today.

Change of use of offices to apartmemts

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/plans-convert-largely-empty-cardiff-26591541

Shame to see the bay struggling with office occupancy. I always hoped it could be turned into a second major office area for the city but it hasn't happened.

I worry a bit about the loss of these offices, the same is happening gradually in the Newport road area as well. I guess change of use happens all the time in cities. I always saw Newport Road as the proper start of the city centre from the east, I guess it still is but with less offices and more focus on residential and hotels. I'm curious how busy Queen Street station will be in 10 years time as a relatively busy commuter station as well. Maybe the Canal Quarter will help keep it busy?

Talking of Newport Road changes,there is definitely some activity on the Hallinans House plot, the enpty lot between it and the easyHotek had vehicles and some equipment there today.

With the exciting news of the plot 5 development at Central Quay, I have tried to collate all of the substantial proposed projects (not including projects currently under construction). I think Plot 5 is especially likely because it’s part of a ‘build to rent’ scheme, and I believe also Legal & General backed and there seems to be a real impetus to get these built fast with how Central Quay Plot 1 is already progressing:

In decreasing order of likeliness (feel free to make your own ordering or disagree!)

1. Plot 5 Central Square (113m)
2. Fitzalan Place (Hallinans House) - 100m (second place by virtue of the fact that demolition has occurred/is occurring)
3. Harlech Court (>107m) (anyone know the exact height?): 35 storeys (third place by virtue of the fact that the building is at least vacant/previous tenants relocated).
4. Guildford Crescent (96m). I don’t really know much about this one…!
5. Friary House/Greyfriars Road - new student block, 25 storey (height?) Only proposed but not yet approved AFAIK.
6. John Street Phase 2 (99m). This one seems the least likely given that the website no longer even exists with the vision but maybe if the initial building is quickly tenanted it might reignite.

Anything I’ve missed?

Well I wonder what will eventually be built at customhouse st?

When the 1st two apartment developments are complete at Central Quay, 2 more are on the blueprint. One same height as phase 1 and the other (on the corner where the car showroom was) a fair bit taller.

Also probably not above 100m but Dumballs road may deliver some around 80ish?

The Bay arena development again may give us some towers of reasonable height

Oh and lest we forget the sports village - just maybe something could start happening on our peninsular of great expectations!!

Still the positive news is that there's a lot going on and I thought maybe they'd knock a fair bit of height of plot 5 central sq. and then they add 5 floors!! just shows what I know!

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wale ... n-27084249