**Cardiff’s Skyline Transformed as New Towers Rise at Historic Brains Brewery Site**
The cityscape of Cardiff is undergoing a radical transformation, thanks to the near completion of two major residential and commercial developments at the former Brains Brewery site. The iconic location, which once served as the heart of the city’s brewing industry, will soon be home to a fresh, modern complex that promises to reshape the skyline and reinvigorate the area.
Construction on the twin groups of apartment blocks began approximately two years ago, representing a significant phase of the ambitious Central Quay masterplan. This wider redevelopment project seeks not only to provide housing, but also to introduce new offices, dining venues, public squares, landscaped areas, and even a new hotel. The entire scheme sits on land directly behind Cardiff Central railway station, one of the city’s busiest transport hubs.
Developers have aimed to balance modern urban living with sensitivity to the location’s rich heritage. To that effect, elements of the original brewery, such as the old brewhouse and the distinctive Brains chimney stack, are being preserved and renovated as key features of the reinvigorated district. These historic remnants will provide a tangible link to the city’s past, complementing the contemporary design of the new towers.
Sean Curran, head of construction delivery and design for Watkin Jones, the principal contractor overseeing the project, recently provided an update on progress. “Construction at Central Quay is proceeding according to schedule. We’ve now completed the installation of the exterior panels on both main buildings,” Curran explained. He went on to note that work on the smaller, eight-storey block is nearly finished, with final touches to the brickwork currently being checked. “Inside, the pace continues – kitchens are being installed, lifts are operational, and the individual rooms are now taking shape,” he added. Landscaping and development of the surrounding public spaces are also advancing rapidly.
Planning consent for these striking new apartment towers was granted by Cardiff Council’s planning committee in June 2022. The first group of buildings includes four blocks, the tallest soaring to an impressive 29 storeys, instantly making it one of the city’s highest points on the skyline. The second complex comprises four buildings as well, with the tallest reaching 24 storeys. The scale of development marks a dramatic change from the more modest industrial premises that previously dominated the site.
Once completed, the first plot will provide 402 apartments and 801 square metres of commercial space, alongside state-of-the-art car and cycle parking, a new public square, and thoughtfully designed landscaping. The second plot is designed for 316 apartments, 1,319 square metres of commercial floorspace, along with similar facilities for parking and green space.
Visualisations released by the developers give Cardiff residents and future tenants a glimpse of the completed project. They show a cycle and pedestrian footbridge linking Central Quay directly across the River Taff, further integrating the development into the wider city and promoting sustainable travel. The proposed bridge is one of several features aimed at encouraging walking and cycling in the area.
The emergence of Central Quay is part of a broader wave of redevelopment that has left the surroundings of Cardiff Central station almost unrecognisable from just a decade ago. A new multi-storey car park is also under construction nearby, and ambitious plans for a substantial upgrade of the railway station itself have been approved, promising a multimillion-pound facelift in the near future.
As Cardiff continues to expand and evolve, questions remain about how the city will balance the pressures of urban growth with the preservation of its historical character. The Brains Brewery redevelopment serves as a test case, attempting to honour the city’s past while providing spaces for residents and businesses to thrive in the future.
Overall, the completion of these new towers at the heart of the Welsh capital marks a significant milestone. It stands as a symbol of Cardiff’s continued transformation – an interplay between old and new that will shape the city for generations to come.