One Central Square Cardiff

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One Central Square is a Grade A office building and a catalyst for the regeneration of Cardiff city centre.

The speculative scheme set over eight floors, some of which are cantilevered, was the first phase in a fiveyear one million square feet development comprising commercial, retail and residential space in an area of almost an acre between the city’s central railway station and the Principality Stadium.

Built on the site of former office buildings, a major challenge was to demonstrate how the new square and streets around it would handle a major event such as a rugby international, and as such a new direct pedestrian route from the square to the stadium - the Millennium Walkway - was designed to handle 35,000 people exiting the southern gates of the stadium in under 20 minutes.

Sector Commercial
Location Cardiff
Products used FSX 100 50mm Curtain Wall System , FSX 100 SSG Structurally Silicone Glazed (SSG) Curtain Wall System
Architect Rio Architects
Fabricator Dudley's Aluminium
Contractor Willmott Dixon

“Speculative scheme set over eight floors”

Grade A Office Space

Driven by Cardiff-based development company Rightacres Property in partnership with the city council, Central Square was masterplanned by Foster + Partners, with One Central Square designed by Rio Architects in response to a brief which asked for 180,000ft2 of Grade A office space and which would achieve a BREEAM “Excellent” rating.

 

Installed by approved sub-contractor Dudley’s Aluminium for main contractor Willmott Dixon, two types of Novastruct curtain walling – FSX 100 capped and zonedrained and FSX 100 SSG (Structurally Silicone Glazed) mullion-drained as rainscreen cladding – plus DSX 190 TB heavy-duty commercial entrance doors – were specified by Rio Architects.

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A Key Role

City council leader Cllr Phil Bale said: “Central Square is the key gateway to Cardiff and the wider city region for many potential investors, residents and visitors and so its role in providing a positive image for Cardiff and Wales cannot be underestimated.

 

“The council has worked closely with Rightacres and its design team to create a masterplan that is reflective of the city’s ambition to be among the most liveable cities in the world.”

 

One Central Square is a past winner in the UK’s best commercial property scheme category in the RICS Awards, in addition to a British Council for Offices award. RICS judges praised the project team for creating a BREAAM excellent’ building that has proved exceptionally popular with tenants, whilst acting as a catalyst for further development in and around the area, which will further enhance Cardiff as a commercial destination.

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