Thackeray gains consent for next phases of £100m Howells revamp

Thackeray Group has secured planning consent for two further phases of its £100m regeneration of the landmark Howells Building in Cardiff into a mixed-use scheme. Cardiff Council has given the thumbs up for phases two and three of the redevelopment, which include 61 flats, the restoration of Bethany Chapel and Sunday School, additional storeys to the Percy Thomas Wharton Street block and partial demolition of the centre of the site to create public realm. The first phase, which also has consent, relates to the former Percy Thomas building at the corner of St Mary Street and Wharton Street. It provides 25,000 sq ft of commercial space, likely to be let to an office or retail occupier. Thackeray is aiming to submit a planning application in the third quarter of this year for a substantial build-to-rent residential development above The Hayes and Trinity Street buildings to the east of the site. A further planning application is expected to be submitted in the fourth quarter for a 120-bed hotel and food and beverage offering at ground floor at The Walter building fronting St Mary Street. In addition to the two planning applications, Thackeray intends this year to begin work on stripping buildings to shell and core, asbestos removal and demolition of the centre of the site. The development has been designed by Welsh architect Andrew Taylor of Patel Taylor. The design strategy is based on the repurposing and retrofit of existing buildings. The Howells building is a 275,000 sq ft Grade II* listed building on a 1.7-acre site, fronting St Mary Street, Wharton Street and Trinity Street. It previously hosted a House of Fraser department store. Giles Hoare, investment director of Thackeray Group, said: “We have an amazing opportunity to initiate the transformation of Cardiff by creating a new heart to the city. Howells is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to breathe new life into one of Wales’ most iconic assets.” Thackeray Group is headquartered in Chelsea, SW3, and owned by Brett Palos and Antony Alberti. See also: How Cardiff is charting the course to net zero Images © Patel Taylor View other planning applications in Cardiff >>