A NEW GATEWAY TO THE CAPITAL OF WALES

Cardiff’s city centre has undergone a remarkable transformation over the last decade. High quality retail development and strong urban design have helped create a distinctive and contemporary city centre which is evident in the increasing numbers of visitors coming to Cardiff.

Our Vision for Central Square is that it becomes a proud new Gateway to the Capital of Wales. A revamped Central Square will reflect Cardiff’s ambition to be amongst Europe’s most successful cities. It will build on its success and become a place defined by excellence in design, in quality, in diversity of offer. It will be a place that inspires and excites. Above all it will be a unique place – a place that captures the essence of Wales and Welsh values, as a place of warmth and welcome.

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WATCH PLOT 2 PROGRESS

CREATING NEW LINKS

Millennium Walkway

Wood Street

Marland Street

PHASED MASTERPLAN

ONE CENTRAL SQUARE
Constructed and occupied the office building totals 135,000 sq ft over 9 floors, with floor-plates of about 16,500 sq ft and basement car parking. The building has achieved a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’. All floors are now let and occupied.
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2016
TWO CENTRAL SQUARE
Two Central Square is under construction and will comprise an office building of approximately 148,000 sq ft with basement car parking. The whole building has been pre-let to Hugh James Solicitors and Cardiff University’s School of Journalism. It will be ready for occupation in September 2018.
Watch Progress

2018
THREE CENTRAL SQUARE
Three Central Square is the site for the new headquarters of BBC Cymru Wales, a Foster & Partners designed building over 5 storeys totalling 180,000 sq ft which will be handed over to the BBC for fitting out in May 2018 and will be fully occupied and operational in 2019.
2019
THE INTERCHANGE
The Interchange will be constructed on the sites previously occupied by Marland House, and the multi-storey car park which have now been demolished. It is planned to contain the replacement bus station for Central Square and form part of a new, state of the art transport hub which will eventually integrate public transport facilities within Cardiff city centre in conjunction with plans for improvements to Central Train Station. It will include retail shops on the ground floor and commercial and residential accommodation above
2020
FIVE CENTRAL SQUARE
Previously occupied by the Western Mail print-works on the north side of Wood Street a new office building totalling 270,000 sq ft will be constructed, subject to planning consent, which will be completed by the end of 2019. The existing St David’s House will be demolished as part of this scheme.
2020
SIX CENTRAL SQUARE
Currently part of St David’s House, this site will be redeveloped as a separate office building in due course of up to 150,000 sq ft completing the Central Square scheme.
2020

ONE CENTRAL SQUARE
Constructed and occupied the office building totals 135,000 sq ft over 9 floors, with floor-plates of about 16,500 sq ft and basement car parking. The building has achieved a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’. All floors are now let and occupied.
READ MORE

2016
TWO CENTRAL SQUARE
Two Central Square is under construction and will comprise an office building of approximately 148,000 sq ft with basement car parking. The whole building has been pre-let to Hugh James Solicitors and Cardiff University’s School of Journalism. It will be ready for occupation in September 2018.
Watch Progress

2018
THREE CENTRAL SQUARE
Three Central Square is the site for the new headquarters of BBC Cymru Wales, a Foster & Partners designed building over 5 storeys totalling 180,000 sq ft which will be handed over to the BBC for fitting out in May 2018 and will be fully occupied and operational in 2019.
2019
THE INTERCHANGE
The Interchange will be constructed on the sites previously occupied by Marland House, and the multi-storey car park which have now been demolished. It is planned to contain the replacement bus station for Central Square and form part of a new, state of the art transport hub which will eventually integrate public transport facilities within Cardiff city centre in conjunction with plans for improvements to Central Train Station. It will include retail shops on the ground floor and commercial and residential accommodation above
2020
FIVE CENTRAL SQUARE
Previously occupied by the Western Mail print-works on the north side of Wood Street a new office building totalling 270,000 sq ft will be constructed, subject to planning consent, which will be completed by the end of 2019. The existing St David’s House will be demolished as part of this scheme.
2020
SIX CENTRAL SQUARE
Currently part of St David’s House, this site will be redeveloped as a separate office building in due course of up to 150,000 sq ft completing the Central Square scheme.
2020

MASTERPLAN PRIORITIES

The Concept

The approach is to consider the context of the urban blocks of the existing City and recreate this in a new way with a strategy of new civic space, and the creation of a new City Quarter.

Evolution

The story of the Masterplan begins in September 2013 when the vacant site of the former Planning Department Offices was purchased by Rightacres.

Key Issues

The Masterplan must knit together the challenges and opportunities of the site.

Relocating Services

The redevelopment of Central Square requires the relocation of both buses, taxis and cycle routes from their current locations at the front of Central Station.