About the scheme
The proposed regeneration of Swansea's Civic Centre will transform a bold example of Welsh Brutalist architecture into a vibrant, mixed-use waterfront destination. Occupying a prominent beachfront site along Swansea Bay, the project represents a unique opportunity to breathe new life into one of the city's most significant civic buildings.
The scheme forms part of the wider Swansea City Waterfront Masterplan, a long-term vision to create a liveable waterfront neighbourhood centred on quality of life, health and wellbeing, sustainability, and shared prosperity. As a key component of this emerging district, the Civic Centre will deliver up to 138 new homes, approximately 59,000 sq ft of commercial and retail space, and a 20,000 sq ft leisure and visitor attraction in the form of a city aquarium.
Originally completed in 1982 to consolidate local government functions across West Glamorgan, the Civic Centre was a major civic investment and an important symbol of public life in Swansea. Following the relocation of Council operations, the building is now largely vacant and closed to the public, presenting a significant opportunity to repurpose this landmark civic asset while acting as a catalyst for the wider regeneration of the waterfront and city centre.
Our vision reimagines the Civic Centre as a world-class seafront destination at the heart of Swansea's new waterfront. The proposals introduce a carefully balanced mix of commercial, cultural, leisure and residential uses, creating an active, welcoming place that serves both local communities and visitors throughout the year. New cafés, restaurants, bars and shops will animate the ground floor and extend onto the promenade, strengthening the connection between the city centre and Swansea Bay while supporting economic growth and aligning with Swansea Council's Corporate Plan (2023–2028) and wider regional tourism strategies.
The design adopts a fabric-first approach, retaining and adapting the existing building wherever possible to preserve the embodied carbon and celebrate its distinctive architectural character. Rather than replacing this important piece of Welsh Brutalist heritage, the proposals sensitively enhance it through contemporary interventions that improve accessibility, create active frontages, introduce new homes and public spaces, and deliver a more welcoming, human-scaled environment.
Sustainability, inclusivity and long-term resilience are fundamental to the design, ensuring the Civic Centre can once again become a thriving public destination and an integral part of Swansea's evolving waterfront for generations to come.
The Aquarium
Atrium Entrance
Residential Entrance
Fford ir Mor
Apartment Interior
Residential Entrance
Residential Interior
Retail Interior
