Bayscape

Hey Zach, there's no need to be rude about Chris. Granted, things have progressed a lot slower on this project that many hoped, and that Chris's updates implied. But he did take the time to engage with a bunch of nerds and geeks on an online forum (although this was at a time when we were thinking of some sort of 'society' lie the Cardiff Civic Society, but far less luddite. Oh the naiveity. I blame the folly of youth - I'm not sure the other guys can blame the same thing ).

You've clearly been a sceptic. No problem with that. But you've also had this rather rude tone which I'm not sure you'd have adopted in real life. Online forums and blogs, by creating distance, sometimes make people blunter. It can be good for fostering discussion and debate. It can also just be churlish and mean-spirited though.

This ^^^

This ^^^

Is that a sign of agreement?

For the record, Christopher is still listed as the director. So if you're reading this, Chris, please enlighten us!

This ^^^

Is that a sign of agreement?

Yep. You're obviously not down with us fifty something kids.

Bayscape Phase I Commencement

I can advise as follows:

- I am now satisfied that the economic and project dynamics warrant a commencement
- The construction contract has been awarded to BECT and following a 10 week lead in time construction will start in June / July 2016 and complete in early 2018
- Design team members includes Rio Architects and RVW consultant engineers
- The project is being managed on our behalf by Gleeds
- The project is funded through a capital partnership arrangement rather than typical bank funding. This is a rolling funding model and consequently we are funded to deliver phase II (the tower) and various other projects.
- The specification and design has been refined and budgets increased compared with the original design. The façade in particular makes use of aluminum panels in defence of Cardiff’s climate and the apartment specifications are of superior size and design (eg ceiling heights are 20 cms higher than standard apartments etc).
- To pick up on a point in the thread the final cladding colour will likely be lighter than the render suggests.
- We intend to refine and progress Phase II for an early start on site during the phase I construction period
- In parallel we will be expanding the campus at Cardiff Marine Village and progressing other marina acquisitions (we purchased Aberystwyth Marina last year)

The Forum and updates

- Without wishing to be insulting to anyone, the historical dialogue on the forum has been of poor quality and has not motivated me to make any postings.
- Some comments (e.g. Zach’s last post) have been astonishingly childish and lacking intellectual merit.
- I therefore only intend to make unilateral statements and not engage in dialogue within the forum. We will otherwise make statements through other outlets. This I regret as we are very excited and proud of the project and I would have enjoyed taking a personal approach to the forum
- I am however happy for sensible forum members and those with a true interest to contact me privately. I would be pleased to provide updates and in time arrange site tours.
- As for timing (again referring to Zach’s posts), I made it clear some time ago that I would decide when it would be right to progress. At the end of the day it is my money, my project and I am the governor.

I don't want any specifics from you Christopher as some may be commercially sensitive. But I would like your general views about how projects like this link into existing public transport networks or even future ones. I ask this because of the proximity of your development to Cogan station.

Bayscape Phase I Commencement

- Without wishing to be insulting to anyone, the historical dialogue on the forum has been of poor quality and has not motivated me to make any postings.
- Some comments (e.g. Zach’s last post) have been astonishingly childish and lacking intellectual merit.

- As for timing (again referring to Zach’s posts), I made it clear some time ago that I would decide when it would be right to progress. At the end of the day it is my money, my project and I am the governor.

You forgot to add that you do not accept any criticism of your plans whatsoever. Furthermore, I don't think it's your money - it's the bank's

Well, there we have it straight from the horses mouth!
After a seven year break they are back on the race track, fed, watered and under starters orders again.
Again, not wishing to insult anyone either, I wondered seven years ago why was a developer was posting on a forum like this and raised my doubts as I thought it was unusual method to say the least.

Good luck to the project, but If I were either yourself, the architects or the financiers I would not be interested in the opinions of those on this or any other forums or even #bayscape!

Come on, guys. Chris doesn't have to come on here at all. Do you see any other developers engaging with the public in such an open way?

Thank you, Chris, for clearing things up and bringing us back up to date. I wish you the best of luck for all your projects.