Green light for groundbreaking Swansea building

Plans for a groundbreaking Swansea city centre building for innovative tech and creative businesses have been approved.A planning application for the glazed structure rising six storeys on the site of The Kingsway’s former Oceana nightclub had been recommended for approval.More than 600 people could work there.The plans feature two underground levels making use of the former building basement.They show a roof terrace and balconies with green infrastructure including trees. The building’s working title is 71 and 72 Kingsway.The council wants to develop the striking creative hub, with public access. The scheme includes a new link from Oxford Street onto The Kingsway.The building will be high-tech, eco-friendly and have flexible open-plan work spaces including the balconies overlooking the city centre. The design of the building and the new landscaped pedestrian link will include measures to capture rainwater run-off. Some of this will be redirected to irrigate the green elements of the scheme; this will reduce water use. Heat source pumps will be used and windows will open. These measures will help heat and cool the building, reducing energy costs.Once funding is in place, construction could start early next year with the building opening in late 2022.The structure is one of Swansea’s major regeneration projects now underway and will stand close to the planned new Biophilic Living – an eco-friendly building with homes and commercial space being driven by Wales-based Hacer – if that goes ahead.71 and 72 Kingsway – formerly known as the Digital Village – forms part of the Swansea City and Waterfront Digital District project being part-funded by the £1.3 billion Swansea Bay City Deal.