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With a student population of almost 70,000, a large swath of the Cardiff real estate market is dedicated to student housing. Recently, city council approved the construction of more than 600 new units scattered across several residences in the downtown area, one of which will become Wales' tallest edifice. Developed by Watkin Jones Group, the tower will be located in the city centre, at the corner of Customhouse and Bute Streets, already home to several noticeably tall buildings.
Designed by Cardiff-based Rio Architects, the 132-metre residence will be home to approximately 450 students. While the primary use of the building will be student accommodation, the ground level will include a retail space, likely to be transformed into a coffee shop with a patio area. The tower's currently empty site is only steps away from the Cardiff Central Library, the Cardiff Central Station, and St David's, a popular retail destination.
Architecturally, current renderings show the edifice's facade clad with grey and golden panels pierced by slim vertical windows. Construction on the tower is expected to start within the next few months, as the completion date for the new student residence is now tentatively scheduled for some time late in the summer of 2018. Undoubtedly, this development will have a strong impact on the Cardiff skyline, and is hoped to foster more developments for this part of the capital.
Additional images and information about the project can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion or share your photos? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment at the bottom of this page.
