A former office building in Cardiff Bay has been given a new lease of life, with 33 high-quality council apartments now handed over to Cardiff Council as part of a wider redevelopment to deliver 78 new homes.

The Scott Harbour building, once a commercial office block, is undergoing a major conversion to help address the capital's growing demand for affordable housing. Cardiff Council acquired the site from developer Rightacres last year, taking an innovative approach to tackling the city’s housing pressures.

Faced with an unprecedented number of individuals and families in need of accommodation and homelessness support, the Council is using the refurbishment of Scott Harbour to provide permanent homes faster than through traditional construction. The scheme runs alongside the Council's broader housebuilding programme.

-- Advertisement --

Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said: "At the peak of the housing emergency when our services were under immense pressure, the Council left no stone unturned when it came to exploring options to help alleviate those pressures.

"Scott Harbour was one, among many, solutions we progressed and it's great to see this former commercial building transformed into stunning apartments with fantastic views at the heart of Cardiff Bay. I'm very proud of these beautiful new homes we’ve created here."

The development features a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments with spacious modern layouts and large windows, many offering scenic views over Cardiff Bay. The project also includes new external works and a ground-floor office space.

All 78 units will be available as permanent council tenancies, with the majority designed for families. A targeted lettings initiative has been introduced to support local Butetown residents, focusing on helping overcrowded households and those seeking to downsize, freeing up larger properties elsewhere.

The remaining 45 homes are expected to be completed by the end of 2025.