Empty Castle Street offices above prominent city centre restaurant to become apartments

Swansea city planners have approved proposals to transform empty offices above a prominent city centre restaurant into apartments, after no interest in the new-build offices in the FOUR YEARS since they were constructed.

The building at 10 to 14 Castle Street is adjacent to Castle Square and has views across to the Grade 1 listed Swansea Castle opposite.

The building, originally part of the David Evans department store, was renovated in 2016 following the store’s closure and partial demolition.

The ground floor was occupied by Caribbean restaurant Turtle Bay. The first floor, which was marketed as office accommodation, has remained an empty shell.

A planning application for the change of use said: “The 1st floor has been marketed by BP2 Land and Property Consultants as ‘offices with tenant input into fit-out specification’. During this four year time period, no serious offers have been received.”

Plans have now been approved for conversion of the empty first floor space into three one-bed apartments and one two-bed apartment.

A new lift shaft will be installed to ensure that the flats are accessible for all.

No onsite parking will be provided, however the planning documents stress the strong public transport links of this city centre site, and says: “It’s expected the studio apartments will appeal to environmentally conscious individuals who prefer public transport over owning a private vehicle.”

A cycle store would be created in the central circulation space to serve the apartments.

No external alterations to the building are proposed.

The second floor of the building, above the proposed apartments, received approval in April 2020 for a change of use from office accommodation to a dormitory-style hotel with ancillary coffee shop and bar.

(Lead image: Google Maps)