Creating a new destination for a touristic, cultural and creative capital city

Atlantic Wharf and Cardiff Arena were recently recognised as the most forward-looking and transformational project for Cardiff and its economy at the Insider Wales Property Awards.

Outline planning for the 33.5-acre masterplan received approval in 2022, alongside a detailed application for the Cardiff Indoor Arena. The project’s scale and ambition continue to grow, and the current masterplan presents a development opportunity that has not been seen since the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation set up the Urban Development Programme in the late 1980s.

We’ve been reflecting on the project that we have been involved with for over five years and its significant role in Cardiff Council’s strategy to improve the experience and well-being of those living, working, and visiting our capital city.

It is considered that this project is set to become the catalyst for further regeneration in and around the historic Cardiff Bay docklands.

Atlantic Wharf development has been split into two zones, Area A and Area B. Now, following our selection along with the consortium team as the council’s preferred partner for Area B of the development, we’re currently working on refining the masterplan strategies and its vision while the council complete the process of selecting a preferred bidder for the delivery of Area A.

The scale of development and its impact on the existing public realm, placemaking and infrastructure is ambitious.

Our outline proposals are thorough, well-considered and integrate fully into the immediate and wider city context, ensuring that they are in some way connected to the broader set of initiatives emerging across Cardiff. The vigorous and iterative process we have applied has identified numerous opportunities and constraints embedded within the masterplan yet allows flexibility as it evolves.

We guided the council on a journey of exploration, helping them to envisage possibilities they may not have previously contemplated. The vision includes creating an animated, internationally relevant, inclusive, sustainable destination that provides opportunities for as many people in Wales and beyond to feel part of this transformational change.