Meridian Gate, Cardiff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Meridian Gate |
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Radisson Blu hotel (left) and Meridian Plaza (right)
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| General information | |
| Type | Residential and Hotel |
| Location | Cardiff, Wales |
| Address | Bute Terrace, Cardiff city centre |
| Coordinates | 51°28′37″N 3°10′25″W / 51.4769°N 3.1737°W |
| Construction started | 2007 |
| Completed | 2009 |
| Cost | £30,000,000/$34,083,000 |
| Client | Imperial Properties Ltd |
| Owner | Radisson Blu (hotel), Delph (apartments) |
| Height | 63 metres |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 21 |
| Floor area | 250,000 sq ft |
| Design and construction | |
| Architecture firm | Wigley Fox Architects.ltd |
| Structural engineer | RVW |
| Services engineer | McCann |
| Other designers | John Wootton, Miller Group, Distinction Contract (Furnishings) |
| Main contractor | Miller Group |
Meridian Gate (Welsh: Porth Meridian) is a hotel and residential skyscraper complex in Cardiff, Wales. It has two buildings, the taller of which is 63 metres high, has 21 floors – the largest hotel in the city; it is operated by Radisson Blu. It is the joint-fifth tallest building in Cardiff. The smaller building, Meridian Plaza, is 33 metres high, has 11 floors and contains luxury residential apartments.
History
The building was proposed in early 2004, obtaining planning consent shortly afterwards. A full application was submitted in 2006 after a change of developer. The site was bought by Radisson Blu, a major international hotel group requiring a prime site in central Cardiff for an upmarket hotel and a 36-unit residential element.
The building topped out in mid-2008.
Architecture and design
The public open space is a mix of hard and soft landscaping, and the courtyards at podium level are for residents only. The Barcelona lights were retained but moved, and a statue of Jim Driscoll was placed on an elevated stone plinth. Parking provision was low, given the central location, with 40 spaces allocated for residents, and 35 for the hotel based on different levels on an anticipation that 80% of hotel users use public transport.
The hotel tower has a glazed curtain walling with solar reflective glass and aluminium projecting fins. The intention was to broadly follow the finishes and colours on Callaghan Square and Kingsway.
Cardiff Council welcomed the slimness of the tower and the increased glazing which creates a strong focal point in the cityscape. They wanted to see a distinctive roof feature to add to the landmark nature of the building. The quality of the detailed design was critical for the scheme’s success, and will be conditioned. High quality materials were required, and the precast concrete panelling was therefore of some concern. The Council required a financial contribution towards repaving the southern side of Bute Terrace and the Highways Department also required a contribution towards a pedestrian crossing on Bute Terrace.
Review recommendation
A concern of the review panel of Design Commission for Wales was that the building needed to respect the height of the neighbouring Altolusso building, another of Cardiff's tallest buildings. Consequently, a slight improvement in the spacing between the westernmost wing of the Altolusso and the new residential tower was made.
Location
The building is located on Bute Terrace.
