Build-to-rent landlord given green light for tallest building in Wales

The building, designed by 5plus and Layer Studio, will target an Energy Performance Certificate Band B and an Excellent rating under the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method.

The development will occupy the final undeveloped plot within the Cardiff Central Square masterplan, located between the Principality Stadium and Cardiff Central Station and bordered by Wood Street, Scott Road and Park Street Lane.

To date, BlueCastle has invested around £70m in acquiring and progressing five BTR development sites, which collectively will provide around 2,500 homes across Cardiff, Leeds, Birmingham, Stevenage and Sheffield.

BlueCastle was established in 2015 and specialises in BTR development, investment and asset management in the UK.

Currently, it has a development pipeline of around 2,500 BTR homes in locations with strong occupier demand.

Barry Coltrini, development director at BlueCastle, said: “This is a milestone for our Cardiff project and for the transformation of Central Square.”

Last week, Inside Housing Living reported that Cardiff was working on developing its first council-led BTR scheme in the city centre.

There will be an equal split between the number of BTR and social rent homes in the development initially, and there is potential in the future for more social rented homes than BTR.

The council is exploring whether it can fund the project itself or enter a partnership with a private developer, with the first option being its preferred one. Cardiff Council will make a decision by the end of this year.