New tower of glass opposit the golden cross

Having looked at the images in the design application, I'm increasingly convinced they are making a mistake having such a dark colour for the cladding. Its probably being done to reduce the extent of staining by pollution and hence the need for cleaning. But I really do think it will look rather grim and oppressive, whereas a lighter, slightly warmer 'stone' colour would still be a nice change from the white render and panels that afflict the city, but would not sit so heavily on the skyline. I think the dark colours really detract from the "slender" profile they are going for.

I actually like the style of some of the new buildings we've had. Admiral, the Maldron, the first Central Sq building. Maybe I'm in the minority but I prefer Brunel/Southgate House to the modernised Stadium House even if they supposedly look a bit drab.

You're not alone, Frank; I absolutely loathe Stadium House. I think it's an eyesore up close whose blue and white panels have dated horribly. It would have looked better left in its (still ugly) original form! Although with its spire, it looks okay from a distance.

Brunel and Southgate, along with Helmont and Capital Tower, are among Cardiff's older high-rises which still look pretty decent. I find Capital Tower really handsome in particular, especially on a bright day, and Brunel House looks huge.

I love the shape on the new tower, its slimness and presence, but I have major misgivings about the facade. Not only does it risk looking bleak on a grey day, it also risks ageing badly. It's stating the obvious, but considering the cladding needs to be a top priority because once a building like this goes up, it's not going anywhere for a long time and any potential re-clad is unlikely to happen for decades.

Brunel and Southgate, along with Helmont and Capital Tower, are among Cardiff's older high-rises which still look pretty decent. I find Capital Tower really handsome in particular, especially on a bright day, and Brunel House looks huge.

I'm with you on Brunel House and Capital Tower - not so much on the other two. The finest of Cardiff's early high-rises though has to be the Hodge Building - now the Holland House Hotel. It looks like something from a 1960s Gerry Anderson puppet show!

I actually find the colour quite interesting but whether it will translate from cgi to real life, who knows. My major concern other than the depth of the building is the lack of comparable buildings of the same colour. If anyone knows any they might like to post them. Also how to explain the colour of the windows? Won't it all look a bit strange inside!

I actually find the colour quite interesting but whether it will translate from cgi to real life, who knows. My major concern other than the depth of the building is the lack of comparable buildings of the same colour. If anyone knows any they might like to post them. Also how to explain the colour of the windows? Won't it all look a bit strange inside!

Looking at the various renders, pretty sure the 'window colours' are blinds.

Also, the alleged mismatched panel on the Radisson is, I'm pretty sure, a missing green glass panel that just hasn't been replaced yet.

Wales Online reporting that this has been recommended for approval, and likely to be built.

Student accommodation? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Are we actually close to seeing a tower above, and way above, 30 floors finally getting built in Cardiff ? It'll be interesting to see how soon they do start on site after getting planning permission approved.

I'm really not bothered by the dark colours on this or on the similarly dark J R Smart 20ish floor tower next to Capital Quarter. I know it might look a bit bleak on a rainy day, but I think just about everything does anyway, particularly all the white buildings we have in the city.

Has anyone seen any of the Watkins Jones developments in other cities in person ? Do their builds look anything like the artist impressions ?

the white stucco render of altolusso looks bloody awful. the best buildings in Cardiff city centre are semi brutalist capital tower and brunel house and they are both cladded in dark materials. no more white render please, anything has to be better than that shite.