Meridian Gate, Cardiff

Residential and Hotel in Cardiff, Wales

51°28′37″N 3°10′25″W / 51.4769°N 3.1737°W / 51.4769; -3.1737 (Meridian Gate)Construction started2007Completed2009Cost£30,000,000/$34,083,000ClientImperial Properties LtdOwnerRadisson Blu (hotel),
Delph (apartments)Height63 metresTechnical detailsFloor count21Floor area250,000 sq ftDesign and constructionArchitecture firmWigley Fox Architects.ltdStructural engineerRVWServices engineerMcCannOther designersJohn Wootton, Miller Group,
Distinction Contract (Furnishings)Main contractorMiller 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, and 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

Meridian Gate

Meridian Gate during construction in 2007

Meridian Gate in 2011

The building was proposed in early 2004,^[1] obtaining planning consent shortly afterwards. A full application was submitted in 2006 after a change of developer. The site was bought by Radisson Blu.

The building topped out in mid-2008.^[2]^{[citation needed]}

Architecture and design

The public open space is a mix of hard and soft landscaping. The Barcelona lights were retained but moved, and a statue of Jim Driscoll was placed on an elevated stone plinth. A few parking spaces are allotted, given the central location: 40 spaces allocated for residents, and 35 for the hotel in anticipation that 80% of hotel users use public transport.^{[citation needed]}

The hotel tower has a glazed curtain walling with solar reflective glass and aluminum projecting fins. The intention was to broadly follow the finishes and colors on Callaghan Square and Kingsway.^{[citation needed]}

Review recommendation

A concern of the review panel of the Design Commission for Wales was that the building needed to respect the height of the neighboring Altolusso building, another of Cardiff's tallest buildings. Consequently, a slight change in the spacing between the westernmost wing of the Altolusso and the new residential tower was made.^{[citation needed]}

Hotel facilities

The hotel has 215 rooms on 21 floors, two bars, a restaurant, and health spa.^[3]^[4] ^[5] There are six meeting rooms and a ballroom that provide a capacity of 350 people. The pre-conference area has a capacity of 150.^[6]