£7.5m scheme developed in new type of partnership with Welsh government
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) has taken up residence in Holder Mathias Architects’ £7.5m office building in Swansea, developed by Babcock & Brown in partnership with the Welsh Assembly government.
The Welsh investment strategic partnership (WISP) scheme on Fabian Way along the Swansea waterfront was built by Cowlin Construction. The VOSA has taken 30,000 sq ft on the upper floors, while the remaining 12,000 sq is under offer.
Holder Mathias’ design, which was chosen after a nine-month selection process, consists of a four-storey elliptical wing and a three-storey rectangular wing, with ground level and underground parking.
The WISP strategy uses grant funds to encourage private developers to build in targeted areas rather than the assembly backing its own speculative developments. It aims to address a shortage of high-quality, modern business premises in Wales, identified as an obstacle to growth and investment.
Craig Jones of Holder Mathias Architects and project director for WISP Swansea, said: “I believe it is the nature, location and quality of design that has so quickly attracted businesses to the site. When designing the Swansea project we focused on producing a modern, yet efficient working environment, with high levels of flexibility so that it would be equally suitable for a single HQ occupier or as a multi-tenanted building.
“With the challenges our economy is currently facing, we are pleased with the response to the design. The scheme will boost the local economy and its success here in Swansea will hopefully set a precedent for the remainder of the WISP programme.”
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