Plans for a major public sector hub in Cardiff Bay

Plans for a major public sector-led office hub scheme in Cardiff Bay can be revealed. While still at an early stage, Cardiff Council has identified a site as part of a wider Atlantic Wharf mixed-use development scheme for potentially up to 500,000 sq ft of new office space.

The hub would be located on council-owned land between the site of the proposed 15,000-seater indoor arena - for which financial closure is expected this spring - and the existing Red Dragon Centre, which will be demolished to make way for new development.

A key element of the hub would be a 100,000 sq ft new Cardiff Council headquarters, replacing the existing 270,000 sq ft. County Hall building at Atlantic Wharf. The existing HQ will be demolished, with the land repurposed for a residential-led commercial development. Its current car park area will partly accommodate the new indoor arena, to be operated by global venue and entertainment company Live Nation.

For the hub, it is understood that council officials are in discussions with the Office of Government Property of the UK Government, over the potential relocation of civil service functions and staff from London.

The council aims to secure relocations across government departments, following the example of the Treasury with a new hub building Darlington in the north of England that will open in 2027.

The council would look to private developers to deliver further phases for public sector organisations, although there could also be space for private sector firms.

The hub project is being positioned as a catalyst for creating career pathways, with ease of transfer of expertise between the council and government departments, including in areas of potential growth such as AI and cybersecurity.

Companies House may also consider establishing a new, smaller HQ office in Wales, at Atlantic Wharf. This would allow it to vacate its current location in Gabalfa, which Cardiff Council is looking to acquire.

The new council headquarters would be financed through borrowing powers under the UK Government’s Public Works Loan Board (PWLB).Savings from reduced running costs, particularly with a more energy-efficient building compared to County Hall, would contribute towards the finan