12/12/24

Cardiff Council and construction company Goldbeck have entered into a Pre-Contract Service Agreement (PCSA), taking the regeneration of Atlantic Wharf forward to the next stage.

The PCSA marks a significant step in the development of smaller, more efficient accommodation for a new County Hall; new facilities available for community use; wider regeneration of the area; and a home for Cardiff Live and the Capella project, a collaboration with the Wales Millennium Centre.

Leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Huw Thomas, said: "Cabinet's decision in October to progress the project in Atlantic Wharf was rightly focussed on what was in the best interests of Cardiff Council in ensuring cost-effective, energy efficient, and fit-for-purpose office accommodation over the long term for its dedicated workforce, but there are undoubtedly a number of far-reaching benefits associated with that decision also.

"I welcome the signing of the Pre-Contract Service Agreement between Cardiff Council and Goldbeck, signalling as it does our commitment to Atlantic Wharf, to Butetown, and to the Cardiff Bay regeneration."

• A Core Offices Q&A is available to read here

The new development would bring several benefits, including:

Reduced Capital Investment:  The new building will cost around half the price of modernising the current County Hall.

Lower Running Costs:  The smaller, energy-efficient building will significantly reduce annual running costs.

Modern Office Space:  The new office will be better suited to modern working practices and partnership working.

Net Zero Carbon Building:  The new office will align with the Council's One Planet Cardiff commitments by being a net zero carbon building.

Support for Local Community:  The new development will include shared spaces available for the community to use for meetings and events

Support for Housing:  By enabling wider regeneration in the area, the new development would free up land for social housing.

Economic Boost:  The decision to build the new office as part of the wider 'Cardiff Live' development will help accelerate the regeneration of Cardiff Bay, bringing more jobs and visitors to the city.

Cabinet Member for Investment and Development, Cllr Russell Goodway, said: "The Atlantic Wharf project will kickstart the next stage of Cardiff Bay regeneration, and our commitment provides assurance and confidence for the private sector to invest in the area and bring skilled employment to Butetown.

"We want to establish Cardiff Bay as a premier UK visitor attraction, and the Cardiff Live element of this phase of the Atlantic Wharf regeneration will bring with it a significant event space to sit alongside and to complement the nearby indoor arena project, taking the city to the next level in hosting conferences and conventions."

In entering into a PCSA with Goldbeck, work has begun to finalise and approve a Development Agreement. This is expected to be completed in late Spring / early Winter 2025 and a further report will be brought in front of the Cabinet for consideration then.

Goldbeck is a leading design and construction company that has been operating for over 50 years. The company has delivered major projects across the European Union and is now establishing a design base in Cardiff. The Atlantic Wharf project is its first in Wales and one of its largest in the UK.

Managing Director of GOLDBECK Hans-Jörg Frieauff, said: "We are delighted to be realising a project of this magnitude in Cardiff. Our GOLDBECK team worked intensively with Cardiff City Council to develop the concept.  Now our work is paying off: With this building project, we are setting new standards and making a positive contribution to urban development and the regeneration of the Cardiff Bay area."

The Timeline of Cardiff Council's Core Office Project

December 2021:  Report to Cabinet highlights the substantial investment required to address the maintenance issues at both County Hall, and City Hall (estimated combined cost for both buildings has since risen to over £200 million).

June 2023:  Cabinet outlines the ambitious plans for ‘Cardiff Live' choosing a new building as the preferred way of avoiding rising costs and giving the go ahead to procure a new office.

October 2024:  Cabinet approves the recommendation to appoint an approved bidder

December 2024:  Cardiff Council enters into a Pre-Contract Service Agreement (PCSA) with Goldbeck

May 2024:  Work associated with the PCSA aimed for completion, and Development Agreement agreed