New UK skyscraper plans approved in major UK city – not London | UK | News
A new skyscraper is being built in a major UK city that will transform the skyline after plans were approved. Wales’ tallest building will span an impressive 50 floors and dominate the skyline of the nation’s capital, Cardiff. According to approved plans, it will have a maximum height of 584 ft (178 m), surpassing the 29-storey Tower at Meridian Quay in Swansea. Additionally, it will be the second tallest building outside London in the United Kingdom, after the 656 ft (200 m) tall Deansgate Square South Tower in Manchester.
The project will include 528 flats and will be built in Central Square, next to Cardiff Central Station, the Principality Stadium and BBC Cymru Wales headquarters. Councilors discussed concerns from Cadw, a Welsh Government group tasked with protecting historic buildings and structures, at a meeting with Cardiff Council last week. Some concerns were shared regarding the impact of the high-rise building on the heritage property.
However, many council members did not agree with this view. Maj. Sean Driscoll called the development “an exclamation point for the city.”
Meanwhile, Major Michael Michael said: “I see nothing but good in this application”. The council’s head of planning, Simon Gilbert, said the new skyscraper was “similar to the Flat Iron building in New York”.
Applicant REAP 3 Limited, a subsidiary of Bluecastle Capital, said in its application that the project included “tonal references” that would blend in with the look of the rest of the city.
“Many of Cardiff’s major civic buildings feature white Portland stone features, and many of the taller buildings in the city center feature light-toned façade elements,” he says.
“Our façade and material proposal should fit comfortably into the city context and at the same time provide a well-maintained façade when viewed from a distance.”
5plus Architects, the firm responsible for the high-rise, said particular attention had been paid to preserving the long-term appearance of the building, especially considering the frequent rainfall in Wales.
Additionally, parts of the façade will feature “subtle references to Welsh Celtic symbols”, inspired by Wales’ “rich visual heritage and identity”.
Renderings of the building show off its modern design as well as its location overlooking the iconic neighboring stadium. For example, tall windows appear to span four floors in the lower part of the building.
