Wraps start to come off historic Palace Theatre building

THE WRAPS are starting to come off an historic Swansea building that’s being saved for future generations.

The 138-year-old Palace Theatre building has been wrapped in protective covers for more than two years as Swansea Council continues to sensitively restore the structure.

A restored main door is now visible along with glimpses of expertly refreshed stonework through the tall scaffolding that’ll come down in the coming weeks.

Council leader Rob Stewart said: “This is a welcoming new view of the Palace as it starts to emerge from the sheeting that’s been in place recently.

“Our work to breathe new life into the building progress and I’m looking forward to it reopening as a base for businesses this year.

“It’ll soon become a catalyst to help regenerate the city centre’s High Street area which has seen tens of millions of pounds of investment in recent years, bring new homes and improved commercial premises.”

The new-look Palace will play a key role in the ongoing council-driven £1bn city regeneration.

Latest images by the project’s GWP Architecture show the Palace’s main roof with its new slate finish, some restored stonework and the interior that retains much of the old theatre’s shapes.

Cllr Stewart said: “Our Palace project is on track to be completed this year. I look forward to local people running and working businesses that make the Palace their home.

“It’s one of many exciting centre developments on which there’ll be great progress this year, including work towards a greener, more welcoming Castle Square Gardens and advances on our Y Storfa public services hub.”

The Palace Theatre was built in 1888 and was acquired by the council shortly before the Covid 19 pandemic.

Under private ownership it had become dilapidated; its future was under threat.

Its dramatic, sensitive overhaul is expected to lead to its reopening this year, thanks to funding from the council and the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Programme.

Specialist businesses involved include R&M Williams Ltd and GWP Architecture.

The Welsh business due to manage the building once construction work is complete is the successful Tramshed Tech.