Central Square

Great to see work starting. Now I believe!

One of the main things I take from the pictures in the article is just how dire Callaghan Square is. The building nearest the station belongs in a business park in deepest St Mellons and not in a city centre. The Marland House of the future.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/business-news/central-squares-first-speculative-office-10582649

Sounds like we might hear about some further lettings announcements at Number 1 soon. Apparently there are two other lettings that will take it to 95% let.

Additionally it seems that discussions are going well for Number 2 for around 60% of the space as well.

You do have to wonder how quickly they'll progress with the later phases the other side of wood street if these two buildings do fill up quickly.

Who is that PeterPiper bloke? He complains about every single development story on walesonline. He's so annoying! I check the comments section every time now just to see if he has posted something stupid. He never disappoints my curiosity.

Who is that PeterPiper bloke? He complains about every single development story on walesonline. He's so annoying! I check the comments section every time now just to see if he has posted something stupid. He never disappoints my curiosity.

He's a right miserable bugger isn't he?

Who is that PeterPiper bloke? He complains about every single development story on walesonline. He's so annoying! I check the comments section every time now just to see if he has posted something stupid. He never disappoints my curiosity.

Which is another reason never to read the comments sections on newspaper websites. They're always swarming with bitter kippers, resentful old men and the frankly bonkers. Here it's only Jantra who's like that! (That is a joke, Jantra - don't take it the wrong way!)

The application for the demolition of Marland House and the NCP car park has just gone in. Can't wait to see this come down.

I wonder what will happen to the traders on the ground floor of Marland House. I know Boots are moving to St David's House but what about Coffee No 1, Greggs, the pawnbrokers, Cex, Burger King and the umpteen charity outlets?

Looks like the second tenant of Number 1 Central Square has been announced with Julian Hodge Bank relocating there and taking a floor.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/business-news/julian-hodge-bank-move-headquarters-10603075

Regarding your post Karl I find the Boots move interesting as even that can only be for a matter of a year or two as St.David's House is due to be demolished at some point as well. You have to worry about some of the smaller outfits there but surely Coffe No 1, Greggs and Burger King will just close up and open elsewhere in the city centre. You'd think those types of organisations would love to to be part of Central Square with the number of workers due to be based there over the next few years.

Good news to both of the above.
How good does No 1 look though? From certain angles it's really impressive.

Coffee No 1 are looking to expand quite aggressively so I think they will be looking to open at least one more outlet in the city centre. I think one of the empty units in Church St would be a good fit.

As for Greggs they have a multitude of city centre outlets so perhaps losing one won't make a huge amount of difference. Burger King are, I think, a franchise so it's probably down to the franchisee as to what they do next.

In terms of Julian Hodge this is good news and gives credibility to the 'financial dictrict' moniker. It does leave a big gap in Windsor Place though. I suspect that it and nearby St Andrews Crescent, Park Grove, Museum Place, Park Place etc may eventually change in character. It used to be the professional quarter but I suspect we may see more restaurants, bars, services such as hairdressers and perhaps a boutique hotel in years to come.

Interesting that Burger King closed their Westgate St store knowing that Central Square would be going too. That leaves 2 out of 4 in town left.

The downside to Marland House going is that it will leave the area around the station lacking in retail facilities during the construction of the new bus station building.