Watkin Jones and Legal & General have announced that construction work has begun at the former Brains Brewery site in Cardiff Quay.

Work is now underway to construct over 715 Build To Rent (BTR) apartments as part of the wider £1 billion regeneration project in the Welsh capital. The new development is situated in a prominent location adjacent to Cardiff train station and forms an integral part of the wider regeneration of the area.

Consisting of a mix of studio, one, two and three bed apartments, this substantial BTR development, which will be the largest in Wales, will include a concierge, lobby, gym, plus gardens and terraces. The development will also feature a public square facing onto the River Taff, in addition to over 19,500 sq. ft of leisure and retail space.


The development will support both Watkin Jones and Legal & General's ambitions and commitments to ESG. Furthermore, BREAAM and Home Quality Mark accreditations will be adhered to, in addition to roof-mounted photovoltaic panels and hot water generation provided by highly energy efficient air source heat pumps, demonstrating our commitment to creating the future of living and homes that are truly sustainable.

Alex Pease, Chief Investment Officer, Watkin Jones, said: "We are proud to have broken ground at Cardiff Quay, home to the former Brains Brewery.

“This regeneration of a strategic site in the heart of Cardiff will deliver high quality sustainably constructed BTR homes, which also helps meet the ever-increasing housing demand in the area. With best-in-class amenities for residents, this sustainable development will breathe renewed life into this prime location. Building upon recent transactions, we are looking forward to developing this on behalf of Legal & General."