Cardiff University has purchased 33 to 34 Park Place in Cardiff to provide additional space for desk based research groups. Initially it will house the Sustainable Places Research Institute, which aims to push the boundaries of traditional sustainability research and find solutions to the twin challenges of diminishing resources and climate change. The imposing four-storey Victorian building was originally two buildings and now provides just under 7,000 sq ft of office space. Cooke & Arkwright acted for the University in the deal and Savills and Fletcher Morgan represented the private vendor.
Mike Davies, Director of Finance and Estates at the University said, “We are very pleased to acquire this well positioned property and Cooke & Arkwright did a wonderful job for us to get the sale agreed.”
Ben Bolton of Cooke & Arkwright said, “Our clients instructed us to acquire another building within the University’s footprint around Newport Road and the University buildings. John Day, our Director in charge of Building Surveying carried out a pre-acquisition condition survey and we advised on the purchase price and the further investment needed to make the building fit for the intended purpose.”
John James of Fletcher Morgan said, “We are delighted with the sale to the University. Our client has retained the rear car park and has just obtained planning consent for eight luxury apartments and a ground floor A3 unit.”
Gary Carver of Savills commented further saying, “Buildings in Park Place rarely become available for sale and despite the difficult market conditions we were able to eventually agree a sale to the University.”
The Sustainable Places Research Institute will reinforce Cardiff University’s Research Institute’s reputation as an international leader in the emerging field of sustainability science, bringing together leading scholars and experts in buildings, energy systems, rural and urban communities, ecosystems, infrastructure, health and policy making in a way that has not been done before. It will address the question of how cities and their regions, which are all developing under different constraints and influences, can adapt more sustainable spatial strategies by studying the complex and dynamic interrelations between ecosystems, society and economy. These interactions will be studied at local, national and international levels, placing the Institute at the centre of global debates.
Griff Rhys-Jones has become the Institute’s first Patron. In recent years, the actor, author and comedian has broadcast and written on conservation and environmental issues, including the BBC series ‘Restoration’.