Following a long association with regeneration initiatives in this area of North East Cardiff, Austin-Smith:Lord were appointed by Cardiff Community Housing Association to develop proposals for this challenging project, with the aim of providing a mix of affordable homes and local retail whilst also delivering significant change and much needed improvements to a tired and failing 1970’s shopping centre environment.

The practice worked closely with CCHA and their development partner, Cardiff City Council, to overcome significant challenges to deliverability and affordability requiring a phased solution to maintain continuity of local retail and occupancy of an existing 10 storey residential tower throughout the development period.

All homes are designed to meet Welsh DQR, Lifetime Homes and RNIB standards.

“This incredibly challenging major regeneration project, of an existing 70`s indoor shopping centre, that had become a target for vandalism and anti-social activities, owes its success to the numerous community engagement along with stakeholder constellations carried out by the design teams, ensuring that the project team fully understood the communities needs and aspirations, leading to 56 new high quality affordable homes being built, along with 9 new retail units occupied by the original retailers benefiting from environmental improvements, accessibility, and a safer inviting location to live and work” 

Carl Hayes – Project Manager, Cardiff Community Housing Association