Oh come on what about the BBC Wales building !
the civic centre is classy but as you say its out of the way
If it was in the middle of the city centre , say opposite Central station .....then it would be a place to chill , have open air stuff
As it is its very underused apart from the summer office workers
I don't think a lot of people gravitate there which is a shame
Birmingham and Leeds have some lovely central civic buildings and park areas