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...

They are working on it.

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.

At least it is progressing.

Update here

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=101993164&postcount=3306

The two blocks of student flats are in front of the planning committe next Wednesday, recommended for approval.

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.

Has the fact the glazing changed colour not been noticed by anyone either?

The renders of Celestia were actually quite pleasant. Pity the finished product didn't turn out like that.

The renders for Celestia were nearly all night time ones, which is always a bad sign.

Even Tredegar looks OK in the dark.

Looking forward to the bridge. Hope it is the same design we saw before. Great thing. Also another good cycle route from town to south of the railway.

You've got issues dude.

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

2034? Isn't that a little early?

Interseting news -

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/business/business-news/welsh-government-acquires-speculative-office-4050551

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.

So good news for us construction geeks.

its good and bad Karl.

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

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

Does anyone know what plot this additional 75k sq ft building is going to occupy at Capital Quarter or is it a re-plan of the scheme there ?

Any new pics of the tower in capital quarter?

Here you go. In the background you can see the new incinerator going up too.

Click to enlarge.

Thanks, looking nearly complete now.

Not far off

http://planning.cardiff.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=_CARDIFF_DCAPR_106139

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.

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.

I thought the plot between the Driscoll buildings and most recent build were earmarked for student halls, with the plans quite well developed.

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).

I have memories of the same things. The comment on the bridge is in the article linked to above.

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.

Design and Access statement is now up for the new development:

http://planning.cardiff.gov.uk/online-applications/files/0A0F43F3C39512DBC9209A04C17273A7/pdf/13_02267_DCI-DESIGN___ACCESS_STATEMENT-1488786.pdf

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!

I can't get the links to work.It says 'this document is unavailable for viewing at this time'.


The Council planning website link:

  MAP OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS 


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.

That was the point I was getting at ash. We need to connect the bay and town to include the night time economy as well

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.