REINVIGORATE – MERMAID QUAY
Nominations Address: Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay, CF10 5BZ
Investor/Developer Name: Schroder UK Real Estate Fund
Investor/Developer Address: Schroders Real Estate Investment, 1 London Wall Place, London, EC2Y 5AU
Mermaid Quay, a popular 150,000 ft2 mixed-use destination in Cardiff Bay, has initiated a strategic redevelopment to position itself, once again as a highly desirable, waterfront destination. The springboard was the successful letting with Everyman Cinema which celebrated its launch in February 2020. This letting changed perceptions of Mermaid Quay, beginning a chain-reaction of discussions with new key tenants as well as several existing occupiers investing in refurbishments. Alongside these developments, Mermaid Quay is currently undergoing extensive public realm works, showing confidence and excitement for the future. Choosing the quieter months to begin these has proven successful with minimal impact on tenant footfall or trade. Works include a new landscaped public space, paving, lighting, landscaping, signage, wayfinding, entrance markers and street furniture. With groundworks and all but one mall of paving having been completed by March 2022.
Mermaid Quay proactively seeks out opportunities to enhance the centre as well as championing sustainability and support the community. Ensuring the centre refurbishment not only improves the appearance but supports our initiatives; we have worked creatively throughout to achieve this. We took this opportunity to forge relationships with our local community and to further improve the surroundings. We achieved this by working with EnCon Construction to arrange a site safety competition with the local primary school. With the winning designs being displayed on site as well as the school taking delivery of our original planters. The investment has not only improved the sustainability of the materials chosen but also the vitality of the team by engaging them with on-site initiatives, highlighted in our aim to minimise waste. Our on-site Maintenance Technician has created a beautiful rooftop garden out of leftover materials providing a bee-and bug-friendly environment and helping to boost biodiversity.
The Centre is looking forward to completing the full redevelopment by summer 2022.
