THE FIRST two tenants of a large new office block on The Kingsway, Swansea, have been revealed. Travel company TUI and workspace provider IWG Ltd will occupy just over a quarter of 71/72 The Kingsway, which has replaced the former Oceana nightclub.
The 104,000 sq ft office building was commissioned by Swansea Council and consists of flexible working space, an events hall and space for food and beverage businesses. It’s expected to formally open in the spring and support hundreds of jobs when full.
TUI contact centre employees currently based at Alexandra House will move to 71/72 The Kingsway. The council said the majority of the remaining space was under offer and that it was in advanced discussions with a number of other tenants that would be new to Swansea.
Council leader Rob Stewart said: “We’re delighted to announce IWG and TUI as the development’s first tenants. There has been a shortage of quality office accommodation in Swansea, so schemes like 71/72 Kingsway are aimed at helping address this to attract new businesses and jobs to the city and retain businesses here that may otherwise have potentially looked elsewhere.”
IWG and TUI will soon start fitting out their spaces at 71/72 Kingsway. Wayne Berger, IWG’s UK chief executive, said the company was looking forward to a “best-in-class workspace” for Swansea businesses. He said: “IWG’s Spaces brand at 71-72 Kingsway will be an amazing asset for businesses of all sizes in the city, providing first-class facilities on their doorstep as well as access to a global network of thousands of workspaces worldwide.”
Neil Swanson, TUI UK and Ireland managing director, said the building had a real “wow” factor. “We’re excited about the move for our contact centre employees in Swansea,” he said. “Every aspect of space, facilities and layout at the building has been meticulously planned to create an exceptional work environment that supports the well-being of our teams.”
Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “Providing space for up to 600 workers, 71/72 Kingsway scheme will combine with other developments that are either finished or nearing completion to create more footfall in the city centre. This will benefit existing traders and help attract even more investment in future like shops and other businesses.”
The UK’s Wales Office Minister, Dame Nia Griffith, said: “It’s great news that this new landmark office development in Swansea is open for business and is already attracting major companies like IWG and TUI. We want to encourage businesses to come to Swansea, create new jobs and contribute to the prosperity of the local economy.”
71/72 The Kingsway is a key part of a larger city deal project for the Swansea Bay City Region. It has a contract value of just under £50 million, according to a city region report this week, and is part-funded by the UK and Welsh Governments. Rebecca Evans, Welsh Government cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning, said: “This is a major milestone for the city of Swansea and for the delivery of the Swansea Bay City Deal, driving growth and innovation in our communities. We look forward to seeing the positive economic and social impact it will have.”
John Boughton, managing director of principal contractor Bouygues UK in Wales and the South West, said 84% of its sub-contracts were procured from within Wales. “It is great to hear that 71/72 Kingsway will soon be welcoming its first tenants in the shape of IWG and TUI,” he said.
Work on the building, which has a green rooftop terrace, began in 2021. It’ll have 69 bike spaces, electric bike charging, showers, and a new walkway between The Kingsway and Oxford Street. Practical completion was pushed back because the council asked Bouygues to fit it out. Cabling in Picton Lane, at the rear of the new building, was also found to have been previously damaged and disconnected to street lights and has been rectified.
