Specialists pool talents for city site’s regeneration

Two specialist regeneration companies will work together to redevelop a key site in Swansea city centre.

Urban Splash have announced a joint venture with real estate developers Milligan for the transformation of the Swansea Central North site in the area of St Mary’s Church.

The news comes within weeks of Swansea Council appointing Urban Splash as its long-term partner for the wider £750m private sector funded transformation of sites that also include the Civic Centre and land along the riverfront in St Thomas.

Plenty of opportunities will be available for people to give feedback on plans for each site once proposals are developed in more detail.

Early proposals for the 5.5-acre Swansea Central North site at the former St David’s Shopping Centre include new office buildings, shared workspaces, apartments and an area for small creative businesses to make and sell their products.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “Having companies of this quality on board is great news for the Swansea Central North site that links Oxford Street with the £135m Copr Bay district the council has already delivered.

“Both in the UK and overseas, Urban Splash and Milligan have delivered some of the most successful mixed-use schemes there are, bringing exciting solutions that meet the challenges of modern times to regenerate city centres and communities.

“The redevelopment of Swansea Central North and the other sites forming part of the overall £750m plans will deliver the kind of top class visiting, living and working experiences the people of Swansea and our businesses deserve, while also boosting our economy, creating jobs and helping attract even more investment to the city.”

Tom Bloxham MBE, Chairman and founder of Urban Splash, said: “We are incredibly excited about teaming up with Milligan to deliver our ideas for Swansea. Their expertise in leisure, commerce and market curation provides the type of innovative thinking local authorities will need as they embark on town centre transformations.

“This will build on all the great work Swansea Council has already led to regenerate Swansea as the city embarks on an exciting future.”

Milligan  have helped deliver or breathe new life into some of the most iconic mixed-use schemes across the UK and beyond. These include Camden Lock Market in London, Liverpool’s MetQuarter and the Mailbox in Birmingham. The company has also vowed to lead the way on the path to net zero emissions with sustainable, future-proofed, low energy schemes that benefit the environment, societies and communities.

John Milligan, CEO of Milligan said, “We have long admired the creative and long-term approach of Urban Splash. We first talked about doing something together over 15 years ago, so it has taken a while to put our first joint venture together. But the timing couldn’t be better. Now more than ever as we redefine our physical spaces and create new town centre destinations, agility and diverse thinking will help us create enduring places.

“Swansea is a city where a major regeneration programme is already under way, so we’re delighted to be working with Urban Splash and Swansea Council on such a key site in its city centre. As a city, Swansea has so much potential.”

Other schemes Milligan has delivered include the refurbishment of the Zubiarte shopping centre in Bilbao, as well as the transformation of the Maremagnum centre in Barcelona into a respected and exciting retail lifestyle destination.

(Lead image: Swansea Council)