Austin-Smith:Lord have been appointed by Jehu Group to complete the technical design for delivery of 41 Independent Living Apartments for Cardiff Council. Previously designed by the practice to RIBA Stage 3, the project follows the successful delivery of two phases of regenerative development of the former Maelfa Shopping Centre and will bring together residents of the recently refurbished Maelfa Tower and residents of the new homes.

The new 6 storey development on the site of a former police station is linked to the existing residential tower by new communal facilities and an elevated garden. This vibrant new hub space will provide a place to meet and relax with a focus on nature and wellbeing. The scheme adopts HAPPI design principles and actively promotes interaction and inclusion which was a main theme emerging from extensive community engagement workshops.

Executive Director Martin Roe commented “We have been involved in the regeneration of the Maelfa Centre for 12 years now and it is dear to our hearts. We take a huge amount of pride and satisfaction from the transformation and positive impact that has been achieved to date in partnership with Cardiff Council, CCHA and Jehu. We are hugely excited to see this third phase of development take another step forward and look forward to meeting with the residents in the roof garden to celebrate its conclusion in the near future.” 

Simon Jehu, Jehu Group CEO of Development added, “Following the immense success of the regeneration in Maelfa already achieved, we are delighted to be working with Austin-Smith:Lord again to continue the fantastic development of this community and we too are excited to see this next phase making a further positive impact for the residents.”