First look at major UK city’s new £22million complex with saltwater lido, aquarium and beachfront cafes
AN ABANDONED building in a popular seaside city is set for a multi-million-pound transformation into a major attraction complex.
Swansea’s Civic Centre in Wales is set to be transformed into an aquarium, with a saltwater lido outside and also boast a number of restaurants, bars and cafes.
The £22million project which be located right be the beach will be in the currently empty seafront civic centre – a 1980s Brutalist building.
As well as the aquarium, there will be a rooftop terrace, beach lido and 130 apartments.
The terrace will overlook the bay and then outside the building, pictures show garden areas with pathways.
Around the aquarium there are also plans for a number of cafes, shops, bars and workspaces.
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Then visitors can head down steps onto the beach to find a saltwater lido, which would be open year-round.
There will be “areas for leisure and events” too according to Swansea Council, spanning across 5,481sqm.
Councillor Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, said: “The Civic Centre is one of the UK’s finest waterfront sites, and this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform it into a destination people will be proud of.
“We’ve listened to residents, refined the plans and now want people to tell us what they think before we take the next step.”
David Warburton, Development Director at Urban Splash – which is the company behind the project – said: “This is a big milestone for the project and an exciting moment for Swansea.
“Our vision is to celebrate the Civic Centre’s heritage while creating a thriving waterfront destination that will serve the city for generations.”
The new aquarium and lido are part of a larger £750million, 20-year regeneration plan for several sites across Swansea.
It isn’t the only new addition to Swansea, with plans for a new £10million attraction.
Set to be the first of its kind in Europe, the Swansea Skyline project, will have a gondola-style lift and downhill karting experience.
And plans for the world’s fastest ferry could come to Swansea, linking the Welsh city to North Devon.
It could have speeds of up to 60 knots (70mph), making it faster than HSC Francisco in 2013 with speeds of 58.1 knots (67mph).