BBC Wales Building Central Square

[Eric the Half a Bee]

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

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.

[goats]

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.

It was a pretty grim area 20 yrs ago….looks decent now…I like the mix of modern meets old

[Rjk]

Yeah, don't get me wrong. Cardiff's obsession with being 'world class' is cringe, but, first impressions matter and the first impression of Cardiff is now vastly better.

Helps that the BBC Llandaff site is large and in a very desirable neighbourhood too.

It's all good though.

why shouldn't we aim for world class?
or should we aim for mediocre provincial city?

[JamesWales]

why shouldn't we aim for world class?
or should we aim for mediocre provincial city?

We should, but we rarely are, so it just comes across as marketing gumf.

I think The Millennium Stadium is world class, at least in some aspects. The civic centre also. Bute Park would grace any world city and Cardiff Castle would be one of the crowns of any city. Possibly the WMC may be considered a world class opera venue too?

We don't do bad, but I think we think we are a more significant city than we actually are sometimes.

[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.

[Rjk]

We should, but we rarely are, so it just comes across as marketing gumf.

I think The Millennium Stadium is world class, at least in some aspects. The civic centre also. Bute Park would grace any world city and Cardiff Castle would be one of the crowns of any city. Possibly the WMC may be considered a world class opera venue too?

We don't do bad, but I think we think we are a more significant city than we actually are sometimes.

we are a small city in a backwater part of a diminishing former power.
we punch above our weight for sporting venues, and castles, but are decidedly average in a lot of other areas, as you'd probably expect for a city of this size, in a relatively poorer part of the country.

[Moodybluebird]

Give me Astey's, smelly public toilets and easy access to the 44/45 bus stop any day of the week ! In reality, the station area badly needed modernising but subtle it is not. Still at least I have my memories.

[BLUETIT]

We should, but we rarely are, so it just comes across as marketing gumf.

I think The Millennium Stadium is world class, at least in some aspects. The civic centre also. Bute Park would grace any world city and Cardiff Castle would be one of the crowns of any city. Possibly the WMC may be considered a world class opera venue too?

We don't do bad, but I think we think we are a more significant city than we actually are sometimes.

Ask Splott Parker about his thoughts about visitors arriving in our City by coach !!!!

[BLUETIT]

Give me Astey's, smelly public toilets and easy access to the 44/45 bus stop any day of the week ! In reality, the station area badly needed modernising but subtle it is not. Still at least I have my memories.

Miss pasty & chips in Astey’s

[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 .

[Moodybluebird]

Miss pasty & chips in Astey’s

In truth I used the kiosk outside the toilets more often than Astey's but I liked the building itself and of course the stuffed bear.

[Eric the Half a Bee]

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 .

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

[Moodybluebird]

Not sure if I agree that Liverpool is a major European city. If it wasn't for the Beatles and and their high profile football time, Liverpool would be just another nondescript northern city. Having said that I do love watching the Grand National, so maybe you're right !

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Not sure if I agree that Liverpool is a major European city. If it wasn't for the Beatles and and their high profile football time, Liverpool would be just another nondescript northern city. Having said that I do love watching the Grand National, so maybe you're right !

Liverpool is a major port city , has loads of culture . I suppose Cardiff is a mini Liverpool 🤔

[Rjk]

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 .

why shouldn't it modernise?
I remember the bay before the redevelopment and it was ****ing awful.
we are a long way from being a major European city, mostly because of size, Berlin and Amsterdam are massively bigger.
Cardiff isn't quite big enough to support having both ends of town busy at the same time, so we get this cycle where one end is new and bustling and the other is rundown and depressing, then rinse and repeat a few years later.

we also have relatively few interesting historical buildings, due to the relatively late growth of the city, yes the castle is good, but most of the city was built post 1910.

I mean it's a nice enough place, but just a bit small time

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

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 .

[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.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

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

[The Bloop]

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.

[ninian opinian]

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.

[City123]

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

[Moodybluebird]

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 ?

[Bluebirdman Of Alcathays]

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).

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.

[City123]

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?

[The Bloop]

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 😋