Swansea office scheme key part of city centre revamp

Plans for a major new office development in Swansea city centre have progressed, with Swansea Council appointing contractor Andrew Scott to undertake detailed design and market testing for the project.

The proposed five-storey scheme is set to rise adjacent to the former St David’s Shopping Centre site and will provide workspace for up to 800 people. The development will feature office accommodation across the upper floors, while the ground level will offer space for commercial uses such as food, beverage, or leisure businesses.

Swansea Council, which is spearheading the initiative, plans to occupy one floor of the building. The remaining office space will be made available to other public sector organisations and private companies. The council is working in partnership with Urban Splash as the development partner and RivingtonHark as the development manager.

The local authority will retain ownership of the building, which forms a key component of the broader regeneration of the former St David’s site. This wider redevelopment aims to reinvigorate the area with a blend of office space, retail units, restaurants, and public green space.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, emphasised the importance of increasing footfall to support city centre retail: "We know local people want a more vibrant city centre with more shops but that will only happen if there’s far more footfall there to create the spending that’s needed to encourage retailers to invest."

He described the office development as part of a larger strategy to revitalise the city: "This office scheme will combine with many other projects to create that footfall, while also enabling the redevelopment of the Civic Centre site on the seafront."

Mark Bowen, Managing Director of Andrew Scott Ltd, commented on the company’s role in the scheme: "The scheme will not only be a showcase of modern, sustainable design but it will also be a catalyst for further regeneration in the heart of the city."

The building is being designed by architectural firm shedkm and will incorporate several sustainability features, including a blue roof for urban drainage, an intensive green roof to promote biodiversity, and rooftop photovoltaic panels to help reduce carbon emissions.

 Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2026, with completion expected by summer 2027. Further public consultations on the broader redevelopment of the St David's site are anticipated at a later date.