Bidders lining up to buy Civic Centre from council
THE Civic Centre is expected to be sold next June – six years almost to the day after it was unexpectedly listed.
Council plans to demolish the 1962 building and redevelop the site were aborted in June 2007 after English Heritage slapped Grade II-listed status on the civic headquarters and its neighbouring Council House.
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Civic Centre
A bidders' day at the Guildhall last month drew 36 interested parties, representing 22 different organisations.
They included property developers, the construction industry, project management, architects, surveyors and funders, Cabinet member Councillor Mark Lowry told a scrutiny panel yesterday.
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As part of any deal, the council is looking to lease back 4,100 square metres of the tower for key staff.
Most of the 1,000 workers who are now based in the Civic Centre would move to new offices, but the Council House would remain as it is.
"It would be nice to think that we could get a four-star or five-star hotel occupying the upper floors, and perhaps get back the restaurant on the top floor," Mr Lowry said.
The council is looking to sell off the freehold, and any buyer would have to obtain planning permission and listed building consent for their proposed developments. To protect existing retailers, they will not be allowed to have any shops on the site, except for those that form part of an hotel.
Mr Lowry said he also wanted the investor to take on and develop the open-air car park behind the Civic Centre. But a new car park there would not be for the public, to protect the council's own car parking business.
Bidders will be marked on the basis of value for money, creating jobs and impact on the environment.
The pre-qualification process will culminate next June, when the contract is awarded to one of the bidders.
Comments
by Vinnie_Gar
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 9:18PM
“Listing a building is not directly connected to its visual appeal it is whether it is a good example of an important design or a building that captures a certain zeitgeist.
As all us drunken bums know - Beauty is in the eyes of the beerholder.”
by Waltersmith
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 9:08PM
“It is a fantastic building and worthy of renovation but due to the decline of the city it will be sold for nothing and PCC will rent office space out at well above market rates - as well as give the buyers a few million as well”
by Rick_OShay
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 7:44PM
“The Holland House hotel in Cardiff used to be an office block and that's been converted to a great hotel.The Civic Centre could be an even better with fantastic views.
Rick O'Shay
Zog”
by GreenGOM
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 7:08PM
“Pull it down, it's a revolting eyesore that should never have been listed.”
by knucklehead
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 4:39PM
“Stop moaning you lot !”
by nothalf
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 3:09PM
“@ circles, Thats sure to be the outcome, given this shoddy bunch of coucillors”
by circles1
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 2:39PM
“Why doesn't Tudor give it away and £2 million to his new best mate James Brent?”
by DoWhatNow
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 2:08PM
“@fiest1406
."Common sense would say after the fiasco of previous sell offs that the Council keeps the free hold and leases the building, for example 100 years, after all this asset belongs to the tax payer."
Erm - isn't that what they did with the airport? Now look at where we are... Seems it makes no difference if it's leased out or sold, we (the city/taxpayers) will still lose out!”
by PL1Plym
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 11:45AM
“Now didn't they want to flatten the Barbican after the war and start over again? Now I realise it's not a popular building but if it was brought back to its original condition it is a fine a building and great example of 60's architecture. The problem is it was left to fall apart long before the listing was put on it. The listing is here to stay so no amount of barking how ugly the building is will change that. Let us just hope that it's not too long before it's restored and looking good again.”
by fiest1406
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 11:11AM
“Common sense would say after the fiasco of previous sell offs that the Council keeps the free hold and leases the building, for example 100 years, after all this asset belongs to the tax payer.”