Green light for Cardiff’s tallest building

Developer Rightacres has secured planning approval for a new residential building as part of Wales’ biggest regeneration project. 

The 35-storey residential tower will sit in plot five of the city’s Central Square development, next to Cardiff Central Station. 

Rightacres is working in partnership with Legal & General and the council in a joint venture for the £400 million regeneration scheme. 

Ahead of the opening of Cardiff’s new interchange this year, the new building also follows Cardiff Council’s 2022/2023 strategy to improve infrastructure. 

Inside the project 

Designed by Scott Brownrigg, the new building will include: 

• 364 apartments. 
• Internal cycle park. 
• Retail spaces. 
• Cafe spaces. 
• Air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels and rain gardens. 

Work is expected to begin on site in late 2023. 

Full scope 

Beginning in 2013 with Rightacres’ masterplan, the Central Square regeneration welcomed a new HMRC building in 2022 for Cardiff’s 4,000 government employees, built by McAlpine. 

Currently, ISG is building the city’s new interchange and transport hub, which is eight storeys tall and includes 14 bays for buses, a two-storeys  worth of office space and a retail unit. 

Designed by Foster and Partners, the masterplan contains six plots and provides a direct link between Cardiff Central Principality Stadium.

Infrastructure developments 

Along with the new interchange, Cardiff Council aims to further invest in the city’s transport infrastructure. 

The council is looking to improve transport in the city centre, cycling routes, and road safety, with a mix of private investment and grants like the City Centre Eastside Transport Scheme and the Local Transport Fund. 

Additionally, the council has secured £208 million in Levelling Up funding for 11 projects, including: 

• £50 million for Crossrail Cardiff, which will deliver a new line between Cardiff Bay and Cardiff Central. 
• £18.6 million for a new cycle route between Llandudno Junction and Betws y Coed via the Conwy Valley. 
• £17 million for new walkways and cycle paths in Holyhead. 

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