Architects, Holder Mathias, have submitted plans for the second phase of the £25 million Swansea Urban Village development, which is transforming the historic heart of Swansea, and will create Wales’ first ‘creative hub’ in the area.
This phase of the regeneration project will complete the courtyard envisaged in the original masterplan and transform the historic Kings Lane warehouse as part of the construction of 30,000 sq ft of commercial and office spaces, designed to attract local people and local businesses to the area.
The first phase of Urban Village, completed in spring 2013, is already transforming Swansea High Street into a vibrant commercial environment for shopping, eating and working with shops, office space and 76 two-bedroom affordable residential apartments.
When the second phase, expected to begin construction in spring 2014, is complete, the multi-use scheme will have completely transformed the area with 76 apartments, commercial space, retail and food outlets, all linked by a mix of courtyard spaces.
At the centre of the development will be the creative hub, which is set to be the first regeneration space in Wales to be a dedicated work space for commercial creative industries
Terry Morley, partner at Holder Mathias, said: “We are delighted that we are moving forward with the scheme that will see the completion of this important regeneration project on which we have worked with Coastal Group for almost 15 years.
“The scheme has already had a significant impact in transforming the High Street and Strand area of Swansea while retaining the area’s historical identity, and we hope that the second phase will continue the process.
“The influx of creative industries will help rebuild the economic identity dynamic providing a vibrant place for people to live and work close to the facilities of the city centre.”
Ian Couzens, Coastal Housing Group’s interim director of development, said, “The Urban Village is already helping to regenerate High Street by attracting new businesses and increasing footfall into an area of the city which has been neglected for some time.
“As we look to start work on phase two, it’s an exciting time for the development, with the creation of a ‘Creative Cluster’ which will provide a hub for small, independent creative businesses and add to Swansea’s already growing creative landscape.
“Once complete, the Urban Village will help make High Street a destination in its own right once again and benefit Swansea’s city centre as a whole.”
