A long-standing vacant building in the heart of our city is set to be demolished and replaced with Wales’s first purpose-built co-living apartment blocks. Asset House on Penarth Road, an old warehouse that’s been empty for at least four years, will be making way for two brand new blocks, one soaring to six storeys and the other to a grand thirteen, bringing a total of 182 new apartments to the city centre.
Cardiff Council’s planning committee gave a nod of approval to the proposed location, highlighting its excellent use of a “brownfield site.” We’re always keen to see neglected spaces brought back to life, and this certainly fits the bill for regeneration.
These aren’t your typical flats, folks! These “co-living” units are designed to be more compact, ranging from 20.1sqm to 29.9sqm, and will include a living/dining area, a separate bathroom, and a bedroom. But don’t fret about feeling cooped up, the concept makes up for the smaller private spaces with an abundance of fantastic communal amenities. Imagine having access to a communal plaza, co-working rooms (perfect for those WFH days), a fitness room, a cinema, a games room, dining spaces, and even roof gardens!
While the council’s planning guidance typically sets a minimum of 30sqm for studio flats, co-living units are a bit different, offering an “all-in model” with increased amenity levels to compensate for the smaller private spaces. It’s a flexible approach to urban living, and with another co-living scheme (Knox Court) already underway through the repurposing of an office block, it seems Cardiff is embracing this new trend.
So, while we say farewell to Asset House, we can look forward to a modern, community-focused living experience taking its place and who doesn’t love a bit of exciting new architecture on the Cardiff skyline?
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