Holder Mathias has completed the second phase of Urban Village, a £25 million development project by Coastal Housing Group in Swansea, which includes Wales’s first commercial space dedicated solely to the creative industries.
The second phase completes a new courtyard space that acts as a central focus for the development, as well as two commercial buildings, the newly-built ‘Creative Cluster’ and redevelopment of an underutilised building, ‘The Warehouse’.
The completion of Urban Village is a significant milestone in the regeneration of Swansea and the transformation of its previously fading high street into a vibrant new quarter for living, working, and leisure.
At the heart of the Urban Village development is the Creative Cluster; 16,500 sq. ft. of workspace situated over six floors. In a first for Wales, the flexible office space has been specifically developed to bring together creative industries under one roof.
The Creative Cluster will adopt a community work environment, bringing together and encouraging businesses to work more collaboratively. The bold approach to building form and colour evolved from a desire to make a confident statement that would define this new quarter of the city.
The renovation and conversion of the existing warehouse delivers approximately 10,000 sq. ft. of new office space across three floors that reference Swansea’s industrial heritage and strongly contrast with the contemporary style of the Creative Cluster.
Urban Village is Coastal Housing Group’s flagship scheme for the regeneration of Swansea’s high street and Holder Mathias has been involved in all phases of the development. The first phase was completed in spring 2012, which brought new residential accommodation into the city centre with 76 apartments for social rent arranged around a private courtyard.
Five floors of office and ground floor commercial space has also attracted much-needed footfall, which has boosted the local economy and made the high street more vibrant. Office tenants include the South Wales Evening Post, and commercial tenants comprise a number of new independent niche retailers, galleries and cafes. Coastal Housing Group relocated its staff to the upper two floors of the building, where they enjoy the use of communal rooftop garden spaces.
Terry Morley, Partner at Holder Mathias, said: “We feel privileged to have been involved in the evolution and regeneration of Swansea’s high street. Through the design and delivery of Urban Village, we are already starting to witness the positive changes to the area as it develops into a lively centre with increased footfall due to new businesses and more people moving into the community.”
Gareth Davies, Director of Development at Coastal Housing Group said: “The regeneration of Swansea’s High Street is an ongoing project and we’re thrilled to have built such an excellent working relationship with Holder Mathias throughout the process.
“Urban Village is one of Coastal’s principal developments on the high street, attracting high profile businesses from the creative industries. What’s more, the development is breathing a new lease of life into an area that has struggled in recent times.”
Holder Mathias is also leading on the design of Urban Quarter, another Swansea High Street development which is currently on site and will deliver residential accommodation and commercial space to the centre, while providing a gateway into the city.
