Riverside Regeneration at Hamadryad Park

This week tenants move into a new apartment building on the banks of the River Taff, which has added a stunning feature to the riverside vista.

Situated behind the Hamadryad Centre, on the edge of Hamadryad Park, the new building, which was commissioned by Cardiff Community Housing Association (CCHA), comprises 55 one and two bedroom apartments over four and six storeys.

The land on which the apartments are built had lain undeveloped for many years, as a succession of developers failed to unlock this challenging site, which called for a development that would do justice to its prominent position on the River Taff corridor, with panoramic views towards Cardiff Bay and the Bristol Channel and back towards Cardiff City Centre.

Lead architect Tope Balogun of Austin-Smith:Lord commented: “In collaboration with CCHA and Cardiff Council we worked hard to find creative solutions that delivered a high quality of design within a challenging budget.

“I believe that what we have achieved is a building that not only offers residents a high standard of accommodation, with spectacular outward views, but also contributes positively to the wider built environment and enhances its special setting.

“The design also took into account the development’s relationship to the existing community and environment, including a former Victorian hospital which houses a health facility and groupings of mature trees which were retained.

“The resulting design offers some of the most desirable apartments within Cardiff Bay.”

An innovative lightweight steel frame was used by construction contractors, Morganstone, which reduced construction time, meaning that the building was completed two months ahead of schedule.

This has allowed CCHA to show the apartments to prospective tenants earlier than anticipated with the first new residents getting the key to their new homes this week.

Chief Executive of CCHA, Kevin Protheroe said: “CCHA’s vision is ‘providing homes, regenerating communities’, and developing new affordable housing is a key way in which we achieve this. Our Hamadryad development has created 55 very desirable apartments with fantastic views across the city, which the new tenants are thrilled with.”