BBC Wales Building Central Square

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eric the Half a Bee

What do you think Cardiff's ambition levels should be then?

---

I think it's punching above its weight already . It's needed a decent transport system like Newcastle for years . That would be a start .

The space between the station and BBC seems a little empty; perhaps it needs developing into a proper square. Might not need much. The buildings there are fine but I would like to see Cardiff get a modern iconic building or two.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bluebirdman Of Alcathays

The space between the station and BBC seems a little empty; perhaps it needs developing into a proper square. Might not need much. The buildings there are fine but I would like to see Cardiff get a modern iconic building or two.

---

An Opera House

Built by a forward thinking Iranian architect

Maybe not

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bluebirdman Of Alcathays

The space between the station and BBC seems a little empty; perhaps it needs developing into a proper square. Might not need much. The buildings there are fine but I would like to see Cardiff get a modern iconic building or two.

---

Isn't the WMC modern or iconic enough, let alone one of the best stadiums in the world?
Once the buses are operating in outside the station again I think the area will be much more vibrant. People returning to offices again next month will also help.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by light up the darkness

For me there are two separate issues. First Does the area outside the central station look better , more vibrant if you like. IMO Zoe’s it does

Would the building have been built with out BBC taking up the option. IMO . Yes it would have been because it’s a great location. Ask the HMRC staff if they prefer the centre or Llanishen.

---

I can categorically confirm that HMRC staff 100% preferred Llanishen.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eric the Half a Bee

What do you think Cardiff's ambition levels should be then?

---

Whenever Sludge mentions the city it's just to have a go at it. He had a go at the new arena planned, regularly whinges that Cardiff doesn't produce enough shit metal bands and is now complaining that Cardiff isn't on the same level as Berlin and Amsterdam! Don't you dare try and improve the city mind

Due to its compact size, Cardiff will never be classified as a major European city but so what. We can't all live in London, Paris, Berlin or Amsterdam. It's not like being ambitious for your local football club, wanting us to achieve a higher standing. We are what we are, most of us are proud to be associated with the city, many visitors leave with a favourable impression of the city and it has a lot going for it. Not perfect but then what city is ?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY

An Opera House

Built by a forward thinking Iranian architect

Maybe not

---

Zaha Hadid was from Iraq which didn't help. That whole affair made us look silly, even more so when she went on to become famous (for an architect).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Bloop

Isn't the WMC modern or iconic enough, let alone one of the best stadiums in the world?
Once the buses are operating in outside the station again I think the area will be much more vibrant. People returning to offices again next month will also help.

---

I'm being greedy. The BBC building was an opportunity missed IMO. It was designed by Norman Foster's company but obviously not given high priority compared to his other works. The WMC is nice but I wouldn't say the stadium is that great, aesthetically, probably cos of the limited time and space in which it was built.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY

Cardiff is trying to gentrify itself . The bay was the start of it . The city elders talk about cardiff being a major European city ......but its not . Berlin , Amsterdam , Manchester , Liverpool , Glasgow yes .

I think the main claim to fame is that 3 times a year loads of people get completely rat arsed for the rugby and finish the evening wetting themselves and scoffing kebabs .

---

Liverpool has famously had huge sums of money pumped into it to turn it around, is that not the dreaded gentrification you accuse Cardiff of?

You think people don't scoff kebabs and get rat arsed in the cities you've mentioned in this thread? Glasgow is infamous for the adverse impact of alcohol and violence on its citizens

Cardiff will never be a major European city like Berlin or Amsterdam, but what's the harm in trying?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ninian opinian

I can categorically confirm that HMRC staff 100% preferred Llanishen.

---

About 75% of the Llanishen staff haven't been to the new building yet, as they've been working from home. I do miss going to Morrison's though for some hot chicken and wedges 😋

I think its great. Their old site must be worth an absolute fortune for housing. It's a great location for encouraging their staff to use public transport (although I do note the car park comment made upthread).
Long term, landmark tenant, for a big development that improves the look of that part of town. Surely it's all positive

My better half certainly preferred the old HMRC site, she could walk to work. Not that she's been to the new one yet.

As for its location, like the BBC, has it been built for the convenience of bigwigs travelling down from London, or the people who will work there every day?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by City123

Liverpool has famously had huge sums of money pumped into it to turn it around, is that not the dreaded gentrification you accuse Cardiff of?

You think people don't scoff kebabs and get rat arsed in the cities you've mentioned in this thread? Glasgow is infamous for the adverse impact of alcohol and violence on its citizens

Cardiff will never be a major European city like Berlin or Amsterdam, but what's the harm in trying?

---

The problem is , it's trying too hard to be like them

Striving to be something it isn't

And using bbc fecking Wales to kick start things

I think it's a joke

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by City123

Whenever Sludge mentions the city it's just to have a go at it. He had a go at the new arena planned, regularly whinges that Cardiff doesn't produce enough shit metal bands and is now complaining that Cardiff isn't on the same level as Berlin and Amsterdam! Don't you dare try and improve the city mind

---

Good god precious 😍

There's improving the city then there is giving bbc wales and all the hangers on a front row seat

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Bloop

About 75% of the Llanishen staff haven't been to the new building yet, as they've been working from home. I do miss going to Morrison's though for some hot chicken and wedges ��

---

Only 75% more like 95%. No one I know wants to work in town :thumbup:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY

This is another thing , why do they have to shove that thing right in everyone's faces ?

I thought Llandaff was fine , tucked out of the way out there ?

Everytime I see that all I can think of is Derek Brockway , the daft rugby adverts and crappy second rate regional comedy and drama

---

I think the whole thing is too overwhelming as you step out of the station in my humble view it needed a more panoramic look .

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ninian opinian

Only 75% more like 95%. No one I know wants to work in town :thumbup:

---

I'm fortunate I guess that I won't have to rely on public transport to get there. I'd hate the thought of having to rely on trains to get there every day.
I haven't worked in town for about 20 years - going for a sneaky pint or 2 after work on a Friday every now and then is something I'm looking forward to.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by life on mars

I think the whole thing is too overwhelming as you step out of the station in my humble view it needed a more panoramic look .

---

Tend to agree with you there LOM. It's a bit too in your face. No subtlety at all.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bluebirdman Of Alcathays

The space between the station and BBC seems a little empty; perhaps it needs developing into a proper square. Might not need much. The buildings there are fine but I would like to see Cardiff get a modern iconic building or two.

---

there was talk of extending the front of the station to accommodate 2 new platforms. that may be why its been left empty. :shrug:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by xsnaggle

there was talk of extending the front of the station to accommodate 2 new platforms. that may be why its been left empty. :shrug:

---

Ah okay, fair enough. I would've thought that would mean either covering or knocking down the old station building, although Cardiff does have form for knocking down the old heritage architecture.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bluebirdman Of Alcathays

Ah okay, fair enough. I would've thought that would mean either covering or knocking down the old station building, although Cardiff does have form for knocking down the old heritage architecture.

---

My thoughts but the idea was that the old Cardiff General facade would be taken down and moved out to be retained for the new look. (better than sending it to St Fagans)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bluebirdman Of Alcathays

Ah okay, fair enough. I would've thought that would mean either covering or knocking down the old station building, although Cardiff does have form for knocking down the old heritage architecture.

---

Leaving it aren’t they but building a whole new roof over the whole thing? Including the new platforms

Cardiff gets knocked by a few locals yet when you speak to the majority of people who’ve visited (admittedly the ones I’ve spoken to are, by and large, football fans from the MillStad Wembley redevelopment days) they’ve nothing but praise for the city. Even now, if you’re in town on a Friday afternoon, there’s a fair few about with their wheelie cases, here for the weekend. Perhaps we don’t appreciate how popular our home city is......and how cheap it is for visitors compared to other places.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by life on mars

I think the whole thing is too overwhelming as you step out of the station in my humble view it needed a more panoramic look .

---

How about this view

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by goats

Leaving it aren’t they but building a whole new roof over the whole thing? Including the new platforms

---

I just want them to fix the platform numbers. We have platform 0 and no platform 5

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

What's the latest with the new bus station? I'm completely out of touch with those sort of things now I'm a valleyite.

---

Lived in the valleys over 30 years and am yet to come across a "valleyite"

What is one of them?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Canton Kev

I just want them to fix the platform numbers. We have platform 0 and no platform 5

---

Not to mention 3a 3b 4a and 4b

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Canton Kev

I just want them to fix the platform numbers. We have platform 0 and no platform 5

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Bloop

Not to mention 3a 3b 4a and 4b

---

All explained on this thread:

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads...central.53650/

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eric the Half a Bee

Quite agree. The view you had when leaving Central station 15-20 years ago was far superior. How I miss that walkway full of junkies and the stench of piss from Stand A. Far more representative of Cardiff than a modern building.

---

:hehe:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Bloop

About 75% of the Llanishen staff haven't been to the new building yet, as they've been working from home. I do miss going to Morrison's though for some hot chicken and wedges 😋

---

I’ve been there and it’s like IKEA on steroids. Cramped and plastic, horrible.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by City123

Whenever Sludge mentions the city it's just to have a go at it. He had a go at the new arena planned, regularly whinges that Cardiff doesn't produce enough shit metal bands and is now complaining that Cardiff isn't on the same level as Berlin and Amsterdam! Don't you dare try and improve the city mind

---

A few on here are stuck decades in the past.

I've lived and loved my 20s and part of my 30s, and I hope I don't moan in years to come when the area I live in and its surrounding areas try to improve and modernise.

It's like everything HAS to have an agenda and not as simple as wanting to live in a nicer area..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bluebirdman Of Alcathays

All explained on this thread:

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads...central.53650/

---

Cheers. The wiki page is pretty useful.
From what i understand from what I've read, the only way to get to platform 5 is to leave the M4 at junction 31.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by City123

Liverpool has famously had huge sums of money pumped into it to turn it around, is that not the dreaded gentrification you accuse Cardiff of?

You think people don't scoff kebabs and get rat arsed in the cities you've mentioned in this thread? Glasgow is infamous for the adverse impact of alcohol and violence on its citizens

Cardiff will never be a major European city like Berlin or Amsterdam, but what's the harm in trying?

---

:thumbup:

The problem with having office buildings such as the BBC in the center of a city is the parking needed. It could work if a proper transport system was in place. Anyone who use Cardiff buses will tell you that it is fine until you get to the city center. God knows what visitors must think.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alfresco

The problem with having office buildings such as the BBC in the center of a city is the parking needed. It could work if a proper transport system was in place. Anyone who use Cardiff buses will tell you that it is fine until you get to the city center. God knows what visitors must think.

---

Don't you think the BBC considered this when they decided to relocate? By th way I regularly use the bus to get to the city centre, it really isn't a problem.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alfresco

The problem with having office buildings such as the BBC in the center of a city is the parking needed. It could work if a proper transport system was in place. Anyone who use Cardiff buses will tell you that it is fine until you get to the city center. God knows what visitors must think.

---

if you were to choose a city centre location for your office, you would choose the BBC's, not a massive walk from station to the front door :thumbup:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alfresco

The problem with having office buildings such as the BBC in the center of a city is the parking needed. It could work if a proper transport system was in place. Anyone who use Cardiff buses will tell you that it is fine until you get to the city center. God knows what visitors must think.

---

It seems to be functioning pretty well without a massive car park for its staff so far.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by blue matt

if you were to choose a city centre location for your office, you would choose the BBC's, not a massive walk from station to the front door :thumbup:

---

I remember reading that the BBC upset Rhodri Morgan when they said the were going to move building from Llandaff to the Bay next to the Roath Lock Studio and there were some road improvements done on the basis of this.

Then the BBC changed their minds. Allegedly one reason was that some of the senior staff from London just wanted to get off the train and walk straight into the office, although I am not sure how true this is.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dembethewarrior

Lived in the valleys over 30 years and am yet to come across a "valleyite"

What is one of them?

---

A valleyite is defined as a resident of a number of South Wales valley communities who constantly append remarks and sentences with the word mun.

Some examples:-

Great, mun. Tidy, mun. They are also given to pronounce you as ewe.

Jones the Shop: How are ewe?
Doris Morris: Not too bad, mun.

Bobsy Wilson, who you asked the question of, moved to Rhondda several years ago from Cardiff. Denizens would stare at him slack-jawed when he spoke. Most thought he hailed from Finland or Norway.