Key Points

• Cardiff Council has approved a 33-storey co-living building in Cardiff city centre that will transform the city’s skyline
• The 400-room development is proposed by Watkin Jones Group and has received full planning consent, allowing construction to begin immediately
• The building will be located opposite the Golden Cross pub on Custom House Street, adjacent to the Premier Inn in one of Cardiff’s busiest roads
• The skyscraper measures 105.6 metres (33 storeys) tall and will house up to 437 residential units with co-living facilities
• The development primarily targets young professionals and transient workers, offering private ensuite bedrooms with shared kitchens and living areas
• Communal amenities will include communal kitchens, terraces, a gym, co-working areas, library, and games rooms
• Councillors praised the building’s distinctive “deep green” design, with Cllr Adrian Robson noting it would “stand out noticeably”
• Some councillors criticised inadequate cycle storage, with only 241 cycle spaces proposed (approximately 60% of required provision)
• Cllr Jon Shimmin stated “If we want to encourage more cycling around the city, then they need to have more secure cycle storage for a development of this size”
• The planning application states the development aligns with Cardiff’s regeneration goals and provides high-density residential accommodation in a sustainable city centre location

Cardiff (Cardiff Daily) June 6, 2026 – As reported by Kieran Molloy of Nation.Cymru, Cardiff Council has approved a massive 33-storey building in the city centre that could redefine the city’s skyline. A 400 room co-living building, proposed by Watkin Jones Group, has received planning consent to be built in one of Cardiff’s busiest roads.

The application reads:

“Co-living developments are designed to accommodate residents who share common areas, such as kitchens and living areas, while having private ensuite bedrooms”.

It continues:

“The co-living concept promotes community living, fostering social interaction, collaboration, and shared resources. Co-living spaces are often targeted at younger professionals or transient workers and typically offer flexible lease terms, fully furnished rooms, shared amenities and a single monthly payment”.

Where exactly will the 33-storey skyscraper be located in Cardiff city centre?

As reported by the Local Democracy Reporter Service of Wales Online, the proposed structure, which will feature 400 co-living units primarily aimed at young professionals, is strategically located opposite the Golden Cross pub on Custom House Street.

The towering building, adjacent to the Premier Inn, is designed to include communal living spaces, shared kitchens, and private ensuite bedrooms.

According to Nation.Cymru, the skyscraper is proposed to include communal kitchens, terraces and a gym. The development will be situated at the junction where Custom House Street, Bute Street and Hope Street meet in Cardiff’s Butetown district.

What amenities will the 33-storey Watkin Jones co-living building include?

As reported by Kieran Molloy of Nation.Cymru, the skyscraper is proposed to include communal kitchens, terraces and a gym.

According to Cardiff Life, communal spaces will include kitchens, lounges, co-working areas, a gym, a library, games rooms, and outdoor areas.

The development will introduce Cardiff to the co-living model, which offers private studio apartments alongside shared facilities. Each studio will include a bed, wardrobe, desk, kitchenette, and en-suite bathroom.

The aim is to create a flexible living environment that particularly suits recent graduates and young professionals.

What did councillors say about the 33-storey building’s design?

As reported by Kieran Molloy of Nation.Cymru, during the meeting, councillors were impressed by the design of the building. Cllr Adrian Robson said the development would “stand out noticeably” from other buildings in the area, where Custom House Street, Bute Street and Hope Street meet, and described it as a “deep green” colour.

Cllr Jon Shimmin said the building would “stick out very deliberately… I love that”. Cllr Sean Driscoll added: “The design is great, I do like the building” and joked that it is an improvement on previous plans to build student accommodation on the site as the council tax revenue would be “more than welcome”.

Why did some councillors criticise cycle storage at the 33-storey development?

As reported by Kieran Molloy of Nation.Cymru, some councillors criticised the plans due to lack of cycle storage space for residents, with Cllr Shimmin saying:

“If we want to encourage more cycling around the city, then they need to have more secure cycle storage for a development of this size”.

Cllr Peter Wong heavily criticised the proposal on this aspect as only 241 cycle spaces are proposed. The planning reports read:

“The proposal therefore delivers approximately 60% of the required provision”.

In response to this, Cllr Wong said:

“That is it doesn’t provide the required provision”.

He continued:

“[The planning officers are] using our previous failure to secure minimum standards, as set out in the guidance, as a precedent for continuing to do so”.

But added that he “appreciates” that the council’s planning team “works hard” and “argues hard” to secure what cycle space they can.

Planning officer Kenneth Reid responded that, under the application’s travel plan, cycle storage use would be monitored and the amount of storage would respond to demand.

How does this 33-storey building align with Cardiff’s regeneration goals?

As reported by Kieran Molloy of Nation.Cymru, the application reads: “The design will positively contribute to the surrounding urban fabric creating a new addition to the Cardiff skyline on a key nodal site that has been unoccupied for a considerable period of time”.

“The development of this site aligns with Cardiff’s regeneration goals and will provide much needed high-density residential accommodation [with] a sustainable city centre location”.

According to Cardiff Life, the site is just 300 metres from Cardiff Central railway station and the new bus interchange, with its central location providing easy access to shops, restaurants, and other city-centre amenities.

Who is Watkin Jones Group and what is their experience in Cardiff?

As reported by Cardiff Life, Watkin Jones has been involved in residential developments since 1791 and has delivered more than 60,000 homes across the UK.

The company has experience in Cardiff, having developed the award-winning Bridge Street Exchange student accommodation and the ongoing Central Quay rental project.

According to Urban Living, the proposed application from developer Watkin Jones concerns land at Custom House Street and would see the construction of a coliving building of up to 33 storeys (105.6 metres) tall.

It would house up to 437 residential units with flexible ground and first floor retail, commercial, community and coliving uses.

Explore More Cardiff Council News

Parc Cefn Onn: Historic Country Park with Mountain Trails, Cardiff 2026

Chris Weaver Becomes Cardiff Council Leader Amid Labour’s 2026 Losses – Cardiff 2026

What happens next after planning consent for the 33-storey Cardiff building?

As reported by Kieran Molloy of Nation.Cymru, Cardiff Council has approved the building and construction can now begin immediately.

The huge building, which will have 400 units and mostly accommodate young professionals, can now be built after winning approval from council planners – some of whom praised the proposed design.

According to Cardiff Life, a public webinar discussing the plans was held in January, and the statutory Pre-Application Consultation period started in February, allowing residents to give feedback before a formal planning application was submitted in the spring.

If approved, the development will bring new life to a long-neglected site and provide much-needed housing in the city centre.

Background of the 33-Storey Cardiff Co-Living Development

The 33-storey co-living development represents Watkin Jones Group’s entry into Cardiff’s co-living market, which has been emerging in the city.

The site at Custom House Street and Bute Street junction is a long-unused brownfield site located just 300 metres from Cardiff Central railway station. This central location provides easy access to shops, restaurants, and city-centre amenities.

Watkin Jones Group, founded in 1791, has delivered more than 60,000 homes across the UK and has significant experience in Cardiff residential developments.

The company previously developed the award-winning Bridge Street Exchange student accommodation and the ongoing Central Quay rental project. The development height of 105.6 metres (33 storeys) would make it one of the tallest buildings in Cardiff, though it does not surpass the 50-storey, 178-metre tower approved for Central Square in March 2026.

The co-living concept itself is designed to accommodate residents who share common areas while maintaining private ensuite bedrooms, targeting younger professionals or transient workers with flexible lease terms.

This model has been gaining popularity in UK cities as an alternative to traditional renting, offering fully furnished rooms, shared amenities, and a single monthly payment.

Prediction: How Will This 33-Storey Development Affect Young Professionals and Cardiff Residents?

The approval of this 33-storey co-living building will directly affect young professionals entering Cardiff’s housing market by providing approximately 400 new residential units with flexible lease terms and furnished rooms.

These professionals will have access to shared amenities including communal kitchens, terraces, a gym, co-working areas, and library spaces.

Cardiff residents in Butetown and surrounding areas will experience a noticeable change in the city skyline, with the building’s distinctive “deep green” colour making it stand out from other buildings in the area where Custom House Street, Bute Street, and Hope Street meet.

The development will bring new life to a long-neglected brownfield site that has been unoccupied for a considerable period.

Young professionals and recent graduates will benefit from the location’s proximity to Cardiff Central railway station (300 metres) and the new bus interchange, providing easy access to transportation and city-centre amenities.

The co-working areas and flexible living environment specifically suit recent graduates entering the professional workforce.

Residents concerned about cycling infrastructure may face challenges, as the development provides only 241 cycle spaces, approximately 60% of the required provision according to planning guidance. Councillor Peter Wong’s criticism that this “doesn’t provide the required provision” may affect cycling accessibility for residents who wish to cycle around the city.

The development will generate council tax revenue from the approximately 437 residential units, which Cllr Sean Driscoll noted as “more than welcome” compared to the previous student accommodation proposal. This revenue could benefit local services and infrastructure in Cardiff.