Chartist Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chartist Tower |
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Chartist Tower from behind Friar's Walk
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| General information | |
| Status | Completed (under renovation) |
| Type | High-rise building |
| Town or city | Newport |
| Country | Wales |
| Coordinates | 51°35′14″N 2°59′42″W / 51.5872845°N 2.9950542°W |
| Completed | 1966 |
| Renovated | 2019 |
| Owner | Garrison Barclay Estates |
| Height | 53.30 m |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 16 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Powell Dobson Architects (redevelopment) |
Chartist Tower is a 53.3 metre tall high rise building in west Newport, Wales. It was built in 1966, and is the tallest building in the city.
Background
A 250-year long lease was acquired in 2017 by Cardiff-based developers Garrison Barclay Estates (GBE) for £6.5m, and the building is now undergoing a £12m redevelopment. It has received investment from the Welsh Government of loans up to £2 million.
The building is located on Upper Dock Street. The building is accessible from both sides, at its front via the newly built Friars Walk shopping centre as well as at the rear via the historic retail hub in the city, Commercial Street.
The building is expected to re-open following refurbishment by Summer 2019.
Etymology
The building is a tribute to the participants of the 1839 Newport Rising, a key moment in the Chartist political movement. The Newport uprising was a key turning point in the campaign for universal suffrage.
Developers GBE have indicated the building will continue to pay tribute to the 1839 events, with features in the redevelopment referencing the movement and its significance to the city.
