A brownfield site in Cardiff Bay has been transformed into prime restaurant units in a £2m regeneration scheme led by Compton Developments and designed by Boyes Rees Architects.

The site at Dunleavy Drive, which saw the River Ely run through it until it was diverted in 1982 when the link road was built, is now an 18,300 sq ft development comprising four detached restaurants and a drive-thru.

The site has already proved popular with tenants Frankie and Benny's opening last weekend and other leading chains due to be announced in the New Year.

The scheme has a piazza style setting with landscaped areas and block paved walkways. The development has been designed to create a modern look with glass frontages, rendered walls and timber features. Built with the environment strongly in mind, the scheme includes a SUDS system (a sustainable urban drainage system). The three remaining individual freestanding restaurant units range from 3,735 sq ft to 4,449 sq ft while the drive-thru is 2,323 sq ft.

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Graham David of Boyes Rees, said: "We are delighted to have been brought in to design these restaurant units in such a prime location. A considerable amount of regeneration work has taken place in the Cardiff Bay area over the past decade and these units further enhance the look and appeal of there."

Compton Developments' Steve Gibbins, commented: "The site was one of the few remaining areas in Cardiff Bay which needed redevelopment to bring it into line with the style and standard of the rest of the area. This project has transformed unattractive, wasteland into five restaurant outlets, which are proving popular with tenants and are set to appeal to a wide range of diners.

"Situated just off the Grangetown Link Road near Asda and Ikea, the restaurant units add another dimension to the current offer of the Cardiff Bay retail development."

RPS have provided planning consultancy for the project. All enquiries should be directed to DTZZ on 029 20 262200

(JM)