Handover at 71/72 Kingsway

Bouygues UK has handed over 71/72 Kingsway to Swansea Council marking the completion of its work on the major five-storey office development which is operationally carbon net zero. 

Located at the former Oceana nightclub site, the building, worth £32.6 million a year to Swansea’s economy, will house 600 workers. It includes 114,000 square feet of commercial floor space with flexible co-working and office opportunities for businesses in sectors like tech, digital and the creative industries. 

Other standout features of this innovative development include a lush roof terrace, beautifully landscaped with trees, shrubs, and other greenery, complemented by tree planters on all balconies. The building also boasts a versatile ground floor retail space and a dynamic basement event space, poised to become a hub of activity. A new pedestrian link connects The Kingsway with Oxford Street, while balconies offer impressive views of the city centre and Swansea Bay. 

This project is a celebration of reinforced concrete construction. Extensive efforts were undertaken to ensure precision from the outset, including the use of an off-site sample panel to set benchmarks for the highest quality standards. All services were meticulously cast into the slab, ensuring no cabling is visible. The main stair core walls and stairs, manufactured off-site, reflect Bouygues UK’s commitment to superior quality and craftsmanship. 

Sustainability has been at the forefront of this project. The building has solar panels on the roof, as well as heat recovery systems to minimize energy use. It also includes 69 bike spaces and electric bike charging, as well as extensive shower and changing facilities. 

Social value has been another key factor during the build. Throughout the project, Bouygues UK delivered almost 2,000 weeks of employment for apprentices, trainees, graduates, and previously unemployed people. Additionally, 84% of the sub-contracts were procured from within Wales, with the aim of supporting local businesses and the Welsh economy.  

The contractor has run many community initiatives, including Bouygues UK’s ‘wall of kindness,’ which provided those in need with warm clothing. Located during construction on the site hoarding on Oxford Street, the wall of kindness allowed people to leave clothing they no longer wanted, which could then be used by those in need. Pegs attached to the wall gave passers-by the opportunity to take or leave coats and other items of clothing. In total, more than 600 items were donated to those in need. 

During the build, Bouygues UK also welcomed a group of pupils from Pentrehafod School to view two new murals they helped create that were displayed on the hoarding of the construction site. The colorful murals were produced by Fresh Creative Co in a joint initiative between Bouygues UK and the local community through the Art In The City project. They were designed following discussions with a group of 60 young people as part of an engagement program called ‘School Swap,’ a regional project to explore cultural and social differences between young people across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, and Bridgend.  

John Boughton, Managing Director of Bouygues UK in Wales and the South West, said:

Bouygues UK is very proud to have completed work on this landmark project for the city, which is a truly innovative and sustainable building. The fact that it will operate at net zero is very important to us as a business as it’s our ambition to achieve this on all of our sites and builds. 

Kingsway plays a significant role in the history and infrastructure of the city centre, and this landmark building meets the demand for high-quality office space. The combination of commercial and office areas will be a valuable addition to Swansea, complementing the other ongoing regeneration projects.

IWG and TUI have just been announced as tenants of the development. Flexible workspace provider IWG will take up about 20,000 square feet at the development, with travel and leisure company TUI taking up approximately 7,000 square feet. 

TUI contact centre employees currently based at Alexandra House in Swansea will move to the new Kingsway development, helping to retain jobs in Swansea city centre. 

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said:

We’re delighted to announce IWG and TUI as the development’s first tenants. 

There has been a shortage of quality office accommodation in Swansea, so schemes like 71/72 Kingsway are aimed at helping address this to attract new businesses and jobs to the city and retain businesses here that may otherwise have potentially looked elsewhere.   

Advanced talks with other companies that would be new to Swansea are also being finalised and details will soon be announced.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said:

Providing space for up to 600 workers, the 71/72 Kingsway scheme will combine with other developments that are either finished or nearing completion to create more footfall in the city centre. This will benefit existing traders and help attract even more investment in future like shops and other businesses. 

We’d like to thank all our funding partners for their support in developing this scheme. It’s part of an overall regeneration programme worth over £1bn that’s transforming our city into a leading place to live, work, study, visit and enjoy. 

Swansea Council has developed the project, and it is part-funded by the £1.3 billion Swansea Bay City Deal and supported by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.