The Council said the projects would lead to thousands more people working in the city centre.
The authority said this would help create the footfall that is needed to support exiting traders and attract more shops and other businesses.
The new office project at 71/72 The Kingsway is amongst the developments soon due to be complete. The scheme, developed by Swansea Council and part-funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal and the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO), will provide space for 600 jobs.
More than 75 per cent of the office space at the development is now under offer. Tenants will start to be announced in the coming weeks.
This year, also due for completion is the Y Storfa community services hub at the former BHS unit on Oxford Street. It will include some council services, the city’s main public library, the Swansea office of Careers Wales, the Welsh Glamorgan Archive Service, Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot, the South Wales Miners Library and other public services.
Construction work is also anticipated to start this year on a new public sector hub building at the former St David’s Shopping Centre site. This is as part of the council’s partnership with regeneration specialists Urban Splash. Based there will be hundreds of council staff, along with staff from other public sector organisations.
Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council leader, said:
“We all want a thriving city centre but we know more footfall is needed there to support our existing traders and attract more shops and other businesses in future.
“That’s why a £1bn regeneration programme is ongoing to help ensure thousands more people are working and living in the city centre. That will then create the kind of spending shops need to open and thrive.
“Swansea Arena has already opened and projects to reopen both The Palace Theare and the Albert Hall are complete.
“The new office scheme at 71/72 The Kingsway and the Y Storfa community services are among many schemes that will complement these developments. They show how committed we are to creating a thriving, modern city with more opportunities to work, live, study, shop and enjoy.”
He added: “The private sector is also heavily investing in Swansea, with major schemes like Princess Quarter and the biophilic building also due for completion in 2025, supported by plans to bring the Mond Buildings on Union Street back into use and the opening of the Cosy Club at the Exchange Buildings in the Maritime Quarter.”
Also starting this year is work to transform Castle Square, with the project featuring a substantial increase in green space including lawns and planting.
A new water feature for interactive play will also feature. This is along with new outdoor seating areas, a giant new TV screen above a bandstand facility, the retention of public use space and two new pavilion buildings for food, drink or retail businesses.
Progress is also anticipated this year for a new hotel on land between the LC and Swansea Arena. Discussions with a preferred developer and operator continue.
Once these discussions are compete the brand of the hotel will be announced.
[Lead image: Swansea Council]
