Leader Rob Stewart and chief executive Martin Nicholls saw that progress is being made as the council works to bring new life to the iconic 136-year-old building.
It’s due to reopen this year as a new base for businesses and promises to play a key role in the ongoing council-driven £1bn city regeneration.
The council have said that the latest work at the Palace has included preparing the main roof for slating, repairs to other roof areas and rebuilding all chimneys.
Work has included masonry repairs while there has also been advances on the new fourth floor along with installation of timber flooring, repairs and plastering to internal walls
(Image: Swansea Council)
(Image: Swansea Council)
(Image: Swansea Council)
(Image: Swansea Council)
(Image: Swansea Council)
(Image: Swansea Council)
Cllr Stewart said: “It’s great that our Palace project is on track to be completed this year.
“I look forward to local people running and working businesses that make the Palace their home.
“The project will bring new life to the High Street area, new opportunities for the wider city centre and new wealth for the whole area.
“It’s one of many exciting Swansea city centre developments on which there’ll be great progress this year, including work towards a greener, more welcoming Castle Square Gardens and advances on our Y Storfa public services hub.”
The Palace Theatre was built in 1888 and underwent a series of interior makeovers resulting in a complex rabbit warren with steep, winding staircases and numerous spaces of different shapes and sizes.
The building was acquired by Swansea Council shortly before the Covid 19 pandemic.
Under private ownership it had become dilapidated; its future was under threat.
The challenges for those rescuing the six-storey building, including main contractor R&M Williams Ltd and architects GWP Architecture, were intensified by the structure’s derelict state after almost two decades of disuse.
Its dramatic, sensitive overhaul is expected to lead to its reopening this year, thanks to funding from the council and the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Programme.
The Welsh business due to manage the building once construction work is complete is the successful Tramshed Tech.
Businesses can register their interest in reserving work space at the Palace.
(Lead image: Swansea Council)
