It will also be the second tallest in the UK outside London
14:53, 12 Mar 2026Updated 16:27, 12 Mar 2026
Plans for what will be Wales’ tallest building have been given the go ahead by Cardiff Council (Image: 5plus Architects)
A skyscraper which is set to be the tallest building in Wales has been approved for construction. The 50-storey tower will have a maximum height of 178m and 528 apartments. The tallest building in Wales currently is the 29-storey Tower at Meridian Quay, Swansea (107m).
If built to the proposed height, the new building in Cardiff will be the second tallest building in the UK outside of London. The tallest building is the 200m-tall Deansgate Square South Tower in Manchester.
The new Welsh skyscraper will be built in Central Square, within a short walk from Cardiff Central Station, Principality Stadium and the BBC Cymru HQ. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here
Rightacres submitted plans for a 35-storey tower block on the same site in 2021 and these were approved by the council. New plans for the 50-storey high development were submitted by REAP 3 Limited in 2025.
During a Cardiff Council planning committee meeting on Thursday, councillors discussed concerns from Cadw, a Welsh Government group charged with protecting historic buildings and structures, that the view of the high-rise from Cardiff Castle would have a negative impact on the heritage asset.
A Street Scene Of The New Development(Image: 5plus Architects)
However, many councillors disagreed with this assessment. During the debate to approve the super-structure, Cllr Sean Driscoll called the development an “exclamation mark on the city”.
Other councillors expressed similar positive sentiments to the building. Cllr Michael Michael said: “I see nothing but good in this application”.
A planning officer for the council, Simon Gilbert, called the new skyscraper “akin to the Flat Iron building in New York”. The skyscraper is proposed to have lounges, dining rooms, co-working areas, cinema, gym and a spa within the first three floors.
A two-storey pavilion is also proposed next to the skyscraper. Planning documents read: “We have taken tonal references from the city skyline, civic buildings and the adjacent buildings within Central Square.
“White Portland Stone features on several of Cardiff’s significant civic buildings and many of the taller city centre buildings feature light tonal façade elements. Our façade and material proposals must sit comfortably within the city context and also provide a well mannered façade when viewed from a distance.”
The first floors of the super-structure(Image: 5plus Architects)
The architects in charge of the high-rise, 5plus Architects, said particular focus has been given to maintaining the long-term appearance of the building, especially in regard to Wales’ frequent rainfall.
Parts of the façade will feature “subtle references to Welsh Celtic symbols” which draw inspiration from the country’s “rich visual heritage and identity”.
During the debate to approve the super-structure, Cllr Sean Driscoll called the development an “exclamation mark on the city”.
Other councillors expressed similar positive sentiments to the building.
Cllr Michael Michael said: “I see nothing but good in this application”.
A planning officer for the council, Simon Gilbert, called the new skyscraper “akin to the Flat Iron building in New York”,