if
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Paul is doing his dramtic 'statement through pic of the day with no post' thing again. Is that glazing on the building i can see!? I guess they will finish the external job now they've started, which will be great. Even if they dont complete the insides just yet, it looks better to the passing pedestrian/train user with some glass on it...
Paul is doing his dramtic 'statement through pic of the day with no post' thing again. Is that glazing on the building i can see!? I guess they will finish the external job now they've started, which will be great. Even if they dont complete the insides just yet, it looks better to the passing pedestrian/train user with some glass on it...
it has been like that for weeks. I drive past it every day on my to and from Bristol and it hasn't changed much
They have removed the crane and are proceeding with the cladding using scaffold lifts.This is obviously much slower but then they are in no rush without any tenants. Their cashflow is much more spread out and they do not have to pay empty property rates.
Is it just me or does the plastic being put over the number 1 building look a lot cheaper and nastier than what was in the renders? The renders themselves don't look too bad but in reality the building is going to look terrible with cheap plastic stuck all over it and become a carbon copy of the British Gas building, just a different shape.
Is it just me or does the plastic being put over the number 1 building look a lot cheaper and nastier than what was in the renders? The renders themselves don't look too bad but in reality the building is going to look terrible with cheap plastic stuck all over it and become a carbon copy of the British Gas building, just a different shape.
Looking at the renders I think there will be additional cladding on top of what has already been put down
Plans for 600 student beds at the Capital Quarter development on Tyndall St approved. £1m-plus footbridge over railway to be built at Xmas.
According to @PeterJohnLaw reporting from the Planning Committee meeting.
this sounds like good news. firstly the bridge. it will give some sense of connectivity to the other side of the track. Secondly, we will have a de facto campus/student quarter. In my view this is a good thing as students bring their own sub culture with fresh ideas on how to do things. With Student Castle, Ty Pont Haearn (or the ritz as it is known to our left wing socialists), the Rumpole development, the Atrium and its extension, this development will see quite a few hundred if not thousand or so students in the vicinity.
Plans for 600 student beds at the Capital Quarter development on Tyndall St approved. £1m-plus footbridge over railway to be built at Xmas.
According to @PeterJohnLaw reporting from the Planning Committee meeting.
this sounds like good news. firstly the bridge. it will give some sense of connectivity to the other side of the track. Secondly, we will have a de facto campus/student quarter. In my view this is a good thing as students bring their own sub culture with fresh ideas on how to do things. With Student Castle, Ty Pont Haearn (or the ritz as it is known to our left wing socialists), the Rumpole development, the Atrium and its extension, this development will see quite a few hundred if not thousand or so students in the vicinity.
time to hide the traffic cones.
The Rumpole development is housing association (United Welsh).
I don't get the Ty Pont Haearn reference. It's a shithole regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum surely?
Also I'm sure I read that the Atrium extension has been postponed/pit on hold. A great shame as I liked the look of it - it could have been quite a landmark.
Also don't forget the Blind Institute around the corner is also being converted into student digs.
I don't get the Ty Pont Haearn reference. It's a shithole regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum surely?
socialists dream of bland tower blocks where we can all work in heavy industry and live under the yoke of brutality. You need control to ensure the workers don't get ideas above their station and accumulate too much wealth or knowledge.
you've even said yourself it is soviet looking. I actually think it is a step up from the shithole soviet blocks that the socialists among us dream we all live in hence the reference to the ritz.
I don't get the Ty Pont Haearn reference. It's a shithole regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum surely?
socialists dream of bland tower blocks where we can all work in heavy industry and live under the yoke of brutality. You need control to ensure the workers don't get ideas above their station and accumulate too much wealth or knowledge.
you've even said yourself it is soviet looking. I actually think it is a step up from the shithole soviet blocks that the socialists among us dream we all live in hence the reference to the ritz.
Well that might be your view of socialism. I tend to think Ty Pont Haern was just built on the cheap.
I don't get the Ty Pont Haearn reference. It's a shithole regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum surely?
socialists dream of bland tower blocks where we can all work in heavy industry and live under the yoke of brutality. You need control to ensure the workers don't get ideas above their station and accumulate too much wealth or knowledge.
you've even said yourself it is soviet looking. I actually think it is a step up from the shithole soviet blocks that the socialists among us dream we all live in hence the reference to the ritz.
Well that might be your view of socialism. I tend to think Ty Pont Haern was just built on the cheap.
Passing capital quarter on the train today I managed to get an upclose look at it (the young lady on the table that i sort of leant across didn't seem to mind when I explained to her).
The outside - what has been completed - looks decent enough. It's quite stylish in fact. Nice black glass with the juxtaposed white/ cream cladding. I think it'll be a decent addition when it's finished in 2034
Passing capital quarter on the train today I managed to get an upclose look at it (the young lady on the table that i sort of leant across didn't seem to mind when I explained to her).
The outside - what has been completed - looks decent enough. It's quite stylish in fact. Nice black glass with the juxtaposed white/ cream cladding. I think it'll be a decent addition when it's finished in 2034
I agree that it will be a decent looking building, but i think it will age rather quickly. The renders looked so much nicer. In them the cladding looked more aesthetically pleasing and more expensive, not the grey plastic. This material is in none of the renders, which makes me wonder what the rest of capital quarter will look like.
Passing capital quarter on the train today I managed to get an upclose look at it (the young lady on the table that i sort of leant across didn't seem to mind when I explained to her).
The outside - what has been completed - looks decent enough. It's quite stylish in fact. Nice black glass with the juxtaposed white/ cream cladding. I think it'll be a decent addition when it's finished in 2034
Hopefully it will at least look finished in 2013 - if maybe un-occupied but there again who knows!? anyway the main thing is that it won't look like a concrete shell which was my fear as it is seen by all train visitors to the city.
Effectively WG has acquired No 1 Capital Quarter (currently being built at a snails pace) to ensure that it will be completed. As part of the deal a further block of 75k sq feet of grade A office space will also be built. In addition the new bridge over the GWML is shortly to begin construction with a finish date of next spring to be financed jointly by JR Smart, the Council and WG.
JR Smart have played a blinder. And to be fair that is just reward for them actually having the balls to build something speculatively. Presumably they will also be pushing forward with their plans for student residences. If so the bulk of Capital Quarter will be built within the next few years.
I'm hoping that the purchase by WG means that there are tenants lined up. However the severe lack of Grade A in Cardiff needed to be addressed anyway if we are to attract outside investment or even expansion by indigenous companies.
Not connected with Capital Quarter but some more letting news -
ZURICH MOVES IN ON PRIME CITY CENTRE LOCATIONS
Zurich Insurance has taken a 10 year lease on the fifth floor of 7,333 sq ft at 3 Callaghan square in Cardiff city centre. The building forms part of the successful Callaghan Square development by MEPC. Zurich has also leased 8,190 sq ft on the sixth floor of Six Park Street, which is situated next to the Millennium Stadium and is home to Media Wales. Zurich was advised on both deals by Kate Simpson, senior surveyor with Cooke & Arkwright's Business Space agency. Kate said, "This dual acquisition provides Zurich with accommodation and additional facilities which is the right solution for their current property requirements."
It's good news. Of course it's not ideal that the government have had to intervene, but on the other hand it's better than the alternative at the moment. It will ensure there's space for companies and hopefully WG will make some money from it when investors want to buy the office after it's let.
Also in the article it suggested that 100k feet of space will be built by 2016 at Callaghan Square.
the good is obvious in that we will hopefully see this office space and the next block completed sooner rather than later along with the rest of the site. The downer for me is the fact that we haven't any private sector interest - unless as you say the WG have someone lined up
the good is obvious in that we will hopefully see this office space and the next block completed sooner rather than later along with the rest of the site. The downer for me is the fact that we haven't any private sector interest - unless as you say the WG have someone lined up
It is more good than bad. Remember the old WDA, in the late 70's early 80's the strategy was similar, build industrial units. To begin with they were empty but that soon changed and they became an asset that was eventually sold back to the private sector. In this case it is office space. Unless you have ready made accomodation then for most businesses they will not locate themselves in Cardiff. Having the right property is one important step you can take to kick start a recovery, it is relatively easy and relatively cheap to put in place and has am immediate knock on effect for the economy and the construction sector. Doing this as a joint venture with a private sector company instead of taking all the risk is also sensible and is one that can be replicated if necessary.
The private sector does not seem to want to take any risks with the pile of cash it is sitting on and banks will not lend on property so it cannot be a surprise that nothing much is getting built. If the private sector will not take on risk then you are only left with government. Alternatively you can just sit on your butt.
Some good points there Jeremy. The point I am making about it being bad is that Cardiff just doesn’t have the attraction for new business to either build speculatively or to relocate here. This is despite the best efforts of some to try and convince us that Cardiff is an economic powerhouse that has a thriving private sector. It is not and it does not. Others also try and maintain that Cardiff is a wealth city. In the Welsh context it is but the majority of us are not so insular as to think the world is just Wales. In the UK context Cardiff is pretty mediocre. I’d look towards central square as an indication of our city’s reality rather than our city’s potential. Now if you’re a socialist and you dream of living in tower blocks in Tblisi then Central Square will be the epitome of wealth and aspiration. For the rest of us it’s an eyesore
Planning documents have been submitted for the next office building at Capital Quarter. It is to feature undercroft parking and be 6 - 7 stories tall. Unfortunately no documents are available online yet but the should be soon.
Planning documents have been submitted for the next office building at Capital Quarter. It is to feature undercroft parking and be 6 - 7 stories tall. Unfortunately no documents are available online yet but the should be soon.
This is good news Cambo. perhaps this is a result of the WG purchasing the office block pictured above. Do you know which plot is being built? I think the space between the Driscoll buildings and the aforementioned would give some sort of critical mass to the development. As it stands it is quite desolate and wind swept....its hardly city centre
Looking at the original D&A statement, block G (to which this application refers) is between 1 Capital Quarter (block A) and Tyndall St. It was initially planned to be an 'apart hotel' rather than office space, so it seems as if some replanning has taken place.
Last time I went past there the diggers were working on a patch of ground immediately to the east of the recently completed office block (I think its called No 1)?. I had assumed that this was the footings for the new bridge over the railway. I can't recall where exactly but I'm sure I read that this was the next phase of Capital Quarter and that it was due to be erected by spring 2014.
I also recall seeing plans (which I think were passed) for student residences between No 1 and Driscoll Buildings and an MSCP to the northwest of No 1 (again I think this was given planning permission).
Just going back on this thread it was me who posted the link regarding the bridge. See below -
As well as completing work on the under construction building, the deal with the Welsh Government will also see JR Smart constructing and financing an additional 75,000 sq ft grade A office scheme at Capital Quarter immediately on finishing the current project.
The new stock will boost efforts in marketing the Welsh Government’s enterprise zone.
A Welsh Government source said: “There has been some criticisms that the zone has been nothing more than a talking shop.
“However, the minister [Edwina Hart] and the zone’s board have been working extremely hard, underlined by this deal with JR Smart and agreement to bring much needed new grade A office stock to the marketplace.
“There is nothing better from a marketing perspective than showing to potential tenants fantastic new offices coming out of the ground, rather than artist impressions.
“The minister and the enterprise zone board has shown real imagination in this deal, which is a win win in that JR Smart can move quickly to build a new 75,000 sq ft office scheme.”
To support ease of pedestrian access from Capital Quarter to the centre of Cardiff a new bridge will be constructed over the railway line to near the John Lewis department store.
At a cost of around £2m the bridge will be funded by JR Smart, Cardiff council and the Welsh Government. It will be completed next spring.
I'm not sure about the design.. I like the simplicity but it does look a bit squat to me. This could be a problem in the graphics however. In particular, in the graphic on the last page it looks to be similar height to Atlantic House next door which has 2 fewer storeys (5 - ground + 4) than the proposed 2 Capital Quarter (7 - ground + 6). In the diagrams it looks less squat and a little taller than Atlantic House.
The D&A statement also says the student accomodation between 1 and 2 capital quarter and Driscoll Buildings will start construction soon. Here is the D&A statement for that (from planning docs back in Jan 2013):
http://planning.cardiff.gov.uk/online-applications/files/001A9373A2C255B7FF11B8EA0AE210B9/pdf/13_00130_DCI-DESIGN___ACCESS_STATEMENT-1057418.pdf
But it is worth noting that the decision on this is still PENDING! Thats 9 1/2 months later.. which seems pretty scandalous to me!
looks pretty good though. I never knew this existed. Needless to say, patience is required (and I don't have any) unless you have pretty fast broadband!
good find Cambo. If both of these do start soon then this will start to feel like something more than it currently is. we could also do with the footbridge being constructed.
Is there anything in this next phase that will add some sort of streetscape. My concern about this development and CSq is that there will be no place of interest after work finishes. Imagine the city on the weekend - it will be like that.
for reference, use Wizard's search with 02267 or 00130
edit:
if the student halls are starting soon, then surely the bridge will also need to be completed.
Is there anything in this next phase that will add some sort of streetscape. My concern about this development and CSq is that there will be no place of interest after work finishes. Imagine the city on the weekend - it will be like that.
I think that's absoulutely true - but most cities have areas like that. If you spread the night-time economy too thinly it fails to function. I'm at a loss to think of anywhere in Europe where an entire city centre has a 24 hour economy.
Having said that it would have be nice to see more A1 and A3 elements worked in. There is a real danger of an evening "dead zone" dividing the city centre from the bay.
The City is getting significantly busier on weekends in recent years - with the exception of the areas around Moorgate and Cannon Street. Thats because of tourists going to St Pauls and the Tower; shoppers going to One New Change; Liverpool St Station;Spitalfields/Shoreditch just over the boundary in Hackney and Tower Hamlets; and new residential developments.
I think Cardiff's car economy makes areas like Cardiff Waterside seem dead on weekends (and sometimes even during the week!).. even where there are residents nearby. Perhaps the student accomodation will liven things up a little in Capital Quarter.