Plans unveiled for 50-storey residential tower set to be Wales’ tallest building

Plans have been unveiled for a 50-storey tower in Cardiff which would become Wales’ tallest building if approved.

Designed by 5plus, the Central Square scheme would contain 528 build-to-rent flats on a site neighbouring the Principality stadium.

It replaces an existing consent for a 35-storey scheme designed by Scott Brownrigg for local developer Rightacres which had also been set to become Wales’ tallest building when approved in June 2023.

That plan has now been heightened by Reap 3 Limited, a subsidiary of specialist build to rent developer Bluecastle Capital, which said it wanted to build upon the success of the wider Central Square area.

BlueCastle purchased the site in 2024 and initially engaged Maccreanor Lavington for the redesign’s first two pre-application presentations to Cardiff council before appointing 5plus to work the initial concept into a fully developed scheme.

A public consultation on the plans is currently open with a full planning application set to be submitted next month. 

According to design documents, Bluecastle has changed the consented scheme due to its “need to deliver their own BTR product, focused on market-leading amenity provision and generously sized apartments”.

The building would also contain a co-working space, a gym, a wellness area, a cafe and a bike hub, along with a roof terrace with views across Cardiff.

A separate two-storey building containing a new restaurant would also be built on the site with outdoor seating on a landscaped plaza.

Bluecastle has appointed an entirely new project team for the scheme, including Gleeds on costs, WSP on structures and civils, Iceni on planning, Montagu Evans on viability, GIA on wind, RLB on BREAAM and Layer Studio as landscape architect.

The previous team for the Scott Brownrigg consent included Jubb Consulting Engineers on structures, Lichfields on planning and McCann and Partners on MEP.