Cardiff Council has given final approval to its new £60m headquarters and an immersive theatre called Capella at Atlantic Wharf, despite criticism from some councillors who described the design as a "boring box".
Approval and Design Criticism
At a council planning meeting where the project was approved, Cllr Jon Shimmin criticised the scheme, saying it was not accessible from anywhere outside the city centre. He said: "This is your once in a generation opportunity to go: 'This is Cardiff, look at us' and you haven't – you've produced a boring box. It's just another office box that could be anywhere rather than a nice statement building." He called it "another missed opportunity for this council".
His views were echoed by councillors Emma Reid-Jones and Adrian Robson. Cllr Robson said: "We are the capital city of Wales. The council needs to remember we are the capital city of Wales and embrace that and this does feel like it's not doing so. There's no real civic pride in this particular building as far as I can see." However, he voted to approve the application.
The Development and Its Purpose
The plans, lodged by Goldbeck Construction Ltd, describe a "dual-use civic ensemble" with a modern office building for the council and a "cultural destination" for the Wales Millennium Centre known as Capella. Capella is an "immersive theatre" with performance areas and studio spaces. The application reads: "Its compact, solid geometry reflects the spatial and acoustic demands of an immersive theatre, while its presence signals a destination rather than a workplace."
Together with the adjoining arena, it will create Cardiff Live, described as a "unique destination capable of delivering numerous types of events for the city". The new headquarters is intended to be a key part of the council's ambition to regenerate Atlantic Wharf and the wider Cardiff Bay area. The current County Hall, also in Atlantic Wharf, has been described as a high-risk liability due to spiralling maintenance backlogs from worsening structural deterioration.
Mixed Reactions and Resident Concerns
Some councillors praised the design. Cllr Driscoll said: "I quite like the design. Call me old-fashioned but that 80s look rings with me and I think it looks fantastic." Cllr Peter Wong called it "underwhelming but inoffensive" and praised the active travel provisions. Cllr Garry Hunt said: "The fact is buildings will reflect their times and the time we are in is of this sort of development. If you look at the CGI presentations it looks quite imaginative inside."
Ward Cllr Saeed Ebrahim raised concerns about disruption, saying: "This is not an objection to investment in Cardiff. Residents in Atlantic Wharf have lived through years of construction, road changes, diversions, and disruptions. Many tell me they feel exhausted by the constant change around them. Too many people feel they have been expected to simply put up with disruptions because regeneration is happening around them." Cllr Helen Gunter added: "It's disappointing to see the report does not put enough weight on the impact of this application on residents living in the area." The plans also include road infrastructure works and active travel routes.
