No matter where you go in Swansea city centre at the moment, you're likely to see signs of developments aimed to enhance the city's future. Huge cranes can be spotted from a distance in the skyline when you're out and about doing your shopping, or going to and from work.
They are each assigned to major projects to rejuvenate different buildings and areas, with multi-million investments behind each of them.
So what exactly is being developed? Well read, on we've profiled them all.
The Palace Theatre
Construction specialists are working hard to deliver a smart new look for Swansea's historic Palace Theatre, and to save a slice of the city's past at the same time. The structure was built in 1888 and, in its long history, it has undergone a series of interior makeovers resulting in a complex rabbit warren with steep, winding staircases and numerous spaces of different shapes and sizes.
The challenges for those now in the early stages of rescuing the building are intensified by the structure’s derelict state after almost two decades of disuse. Those in charge of the makeover are making it ready for a sensitive overhaul over the next two years. Swansea Council plans a big future for the six-storey building, having taken it out of private ownership shortly before the coronavirus pandemic.
Work on site so far has included:
- Removing a large amount of mess – man-made and other - that had built up during the years of disuse
- Removing the huge, dilapidated roof and covering the building in temporary weatherproof sheeting - in readiness for a new slate roof
- Repairing and installing the first two of several giant timber roof beams
- Removing and cataloguing hundreds of distressed sandstone decorative blocks - for repair and reinstatement in due course
- Saving thousands of original red bricks - for future use in the scheme
- Repointing and cleaning some of the exterior masonry – with much more similar work to follow
- Removal for repair of original elements of the venue’s interior and exterior - including its iconic Palace Theatre main sign that, in future, will continue to overlook High Street, and a wrought iron balustrade that’ll be reinstated.
- Installing several new steel girders to support key future aspects of the building
- Restoring a number of iron pillars - they will remain integral to the infrastructure
- Creating a six-storey void at the rear of the building to accommodate, as part of the plans, a lift and other features making the Palace accessible to all
- Removing the stage and exposing the large orchestra pit; key features will be restored.
- Uncovering equipment from the theatre’s performing area and off-stage space, including gas lights; consideration will be given on how to re-use them.
Ty Nant
In 2021, we reported how Ty Nant, where the old HMRC valuation office agency once stood, had been bought up by Watkin Jones, which unveiled plans for a new 350-bed accommodation block for students. Now, two years on, significant signs of progress are there for all to see, with the building soaring into the city skyline, the concrete frame completed and brickwork "progressing well". A huge banner draped over the building states that it is set to open in September, 2023, something that appears more than achievable given the current rate of progress.
Based on renting accommodation there for 44 weeks, 'silver' en-suite rooms are set to cost £163 a week, 'gold' en-suite rooms will set students back £183 per week, with bronze en-suite rooms £153 per week and classic en-suite rooms £143 per week. All bills will be included, and there will be CCTV, wi-fi and broadband, a study room, games area, courtyard, fitness suite, laundry, vending machine and cycle store. There will also be residents' events hosted there.
Watkin Jones communications director Stuart Vicary said: “Construction is currently progressing well at our Ty Nant scheme in Swansea, providing 370 purpose-built cluster and studio bedrooms of much needed student accommodation in the city. To date, we have completed the concrete frame and the brickwork is progressing well on level five of the 11 storey building. We are pleased with the progress made and remain on track for completion later in the year.” If you wish to enquire on accommodation to live at the new development once it is complete you can do so by clicking here.
The Kingsway
Once the home of Oceana, and a number of nightclubs before that, including Top Rank, Ritzy's, and Time and Envy, a new building will soon begin taking shape in The Kingsway. Swansea Council has been working on a major new office space in the city centre which it hopes will provide space for 600 jobs in sectors such as tech, digital and the creative industries. Initial building work on site has focused on two basement floors at the 71/72 Kingsway scheme, with giant yellow cranes towering over the site.
But these have now been completed meaning work on the three above ground storeys at street level and above can begin, and passers-by will start to see the new structure take shape. Swansea Council has said the scheme will bring £32.6m a year to the city's economy and be carbon zero in its operation.
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