### Former Cardiff Bay Office Tower Transformed Into Vital Council Housing
A prominent office building in Cardiff Bay is set for a new lease of life after Cardiff Council finalised a deal to convert the property into dozens of council homes. The move comes as part of the authority’s ongoing efforts to tackle the growing demand for affordable housing in the Welsh capital.
The Scott Harbour building, once a sought-after business address from the 1990s, was acquired by the council from Rightacres, a well-known property developer. The transaction marks a significant milestone, with Cardiff Council set to invest a total of £28.5 million in the project to deliver 78 permanent apartments aimed primarily at families.
This transformation follows Cardiff Council’s wider pledge to address the housing crisis, as the city faces mounting pressures linked to soaring rents and a critical shortfall in affordable accommodation. The initial stage of the Scott Harbour redevelopment will see the council take possession of 33 completed apartments imminently, with the remainder scheduled for completion later this year.
Council representatives have highlighted the urgency of the project as a direct response to the declared housing emergency. In a statement, a spokesperson emphasised the importance of rapidly expanding the council’s housing stock: “By acquiring and converting the former Scott Harbour office, we are accelerating the availability of quality council homes at a time of unprecedented need. This initiative complements our ambitious new build projects, which collectively represent the largest programme of their kind in Wales.”
Not only does the redevelopment offer a swifter solution than constructing new housing from scratch, but it also makes effective use of existing structures in the city. The full renovation includes both internal refits—converting office floors to residential apartments—and improvements to the building’s exterior. Additionally, plans include creating new office space on the ground floor of the property.
Cardiff Council’s acquisition strategy was facilitated by the property consultancy Knight Frank, whose local branch provided advice and brokered the deal. The scheme is part of the council’s innovative approach to housing supply, prioritising both speed and scale in delivering new homes for those most in need.
The apartments themselves are to be let on secure permanent tenancies, with a particular focus on accommodating families. Officials believe this will play a critical role in helping to relieve the pressure on temporary accommodation and reduce the council’s housing waiting lists, which have swelled in recent years.
Interestingly, Scott Harbour’s future was once headed in a different direction. Rightacres, having purchased the structure from Global Mutual last year for £4.5 million, had originally envisioned a build-to-rent and serviced apartment venture—investing approximately £25 million towards that end. However, with escalating local need for council housing, the opportunity arose for a public sector-driven initiative instead.
The reuse and repurposing of existing office buildings for affordable housing represents a trend gathering pace across the UK. Not only does it reduce the time required to bring new homes on stream, but it also supports sustainability goals by making effective use of existing resources.
As Cardiff Council prepares for the first new tenants to move into their Scott Harbour homes this June, there is a growing sense of optimism that projects like this could be a key part of the solution to the city’s housing pressures. With the remaining units on track for completion by December, the scheme may well serve as a blueprint for future redevelopment projects throughout Wales and beyond.