Former HSBC in Cardiff Bay

I heard today that developers Quin & Co. Ltd. have submitted a planning appplication for the conversion of the old HSBC to provide sixteen high end apartments including a Penthouse with an A3 commercial unit to the ground floor plus an additional new build block of eight apartments.

Project team:
Connections Design - Architect
DPP - Planning Consultants
Emma, Adams & Partners - Heritage Assessor
Cushman & Wakefield - Viability Consultants
CTD Consult - Quantity Surveyor
Vale Consultancy - Structural Engineers & FCA Consultants

I haven't seen the plans yet, but I hope its done tastefully. If so, it will be great to see some care given to these old buildings down the bay.

I'd like to see a concerted effort to bring all of the Victorian buildings in the bay back to life. There are so many empty and the whole area would feel more vibrant, and could be a great secondary city centre, if there were some good shops, bars & restaurants as well as more residential and offices.

As an aside, what's happening with the old station building? It looks like it going to rack and ruin which is shocking for such an historic site.

I agree! I've aired my view on the Bay a number of times, only to be shouted down by a few people. In my opinion, these buildings offer so much character and should have been the focus of the redevelopment, coupled with inspiring modern architecture. Instead they've been cut off from the waterfront and neglected. The state of the Coal Exchange is one of national shame!

I only hope that as the builds up more people will take an interest and if this Metro does come off, then maybe will end up with a second city centre on the waterfront.

I agree! I've aired my view on the Bay a number of times, only to be shouted down by a few people. In my opinion, these buildings offer so much character and should have been the focus of the redevelopment, coupled with inspiring modern architecture. Instead they've been cut off from the waterfront and neglected. The state of the Coal Exchange is one of national shame!

I only hope that as the builds up more people will take an interest and if this Metro does come off, then maybe will end up with a second city centre on the waterfront.

You've not been shouted down. Especially not on the characterfulness of the "old Butetown" area and the view that its a shame that this area isn't made more of. I think most of us would agree whole-heartedly.

I think a few of us just disagreed with some of your assertions about the Sennedd v Coal Exchange, and pointed out the difficulties of some of your spacial planning of the bay. Thats just discussion not "shouting down".

Speaking of the The Exchange building, I've heard that that there could be confirmation of the proposed wedding/hotel option going ahead shortly. There's no real plan B on the table so this is presumably a better option than the alternative neglect and decay.

As an aside, what's happening with the old station building? It looks like it going to rack and ruin which is shocking for such an historic site.

It is shocking that it hasn't been brought back into use but the core historic building is secure and weatherproof. It looks in a much worse state than it actually is because of the ajoining rotting 'station canopy' - a structure erected by the WIMM in the 1980s when the station was used by the museum for railway exhibits.

As an aside, what's happening with the old station building? It looks like it going to rack and ruin which is shocking for such an historic site.

In all the visions and plans I have seen for the new SW Metro, there seems to be an indication that the station is going to be re-sited somewhere closer to the WMC - I can see the station building becoming surplus to requirements.

If this is the case, I hope the station is gifted to St Fagans museum and allowed to be torn down and re-built (a la The Vulcan) in order to preserve it. In its current state I can see a sharp gust of wind damaging it and the council being forced to demolish it on safety grounds...

Shocking that it's been allowed to get in this condition!

Yeah the plans for the Metro show the new bay station where Craft in the Bay is, with another station half way between town and the bay along Bute Street. I've always said that old station building once repaired would make a great location for a nice café/restaurant.

Another building which needs seeing to is the Cory's Building on the other side of the HSBC building junction. It has had planning permission for residential development for years but probably needs about £1million spent on it to repair it.

Whatever happens with rail access to the Bay I hope it's at street level so the wall can come down and there can be proper east-west access.

Also where is the proposed 8 storey new build? I assume it's on the site of the building(s) immediately to the west of the HSBC?

was it an 8 storey new build or an 8 apartment new build?