A public consultation exercise on plans for a £30m digital hub building at the former Oceana nightclub in the centre of Swansea has been launched.
The project, located on The Kingsway, aims to provide new flexible business space for the growing number of digital tech firms in Swansea and the wider Swansea Bay Region.
Access for the general public will include a new link from Oxford Street onto The Kingsway.
The development – originally known as the Digital Village but now with a working title of 71 & 72 The Kingsway - will stand six stories and will have a further two floors below ground level, fully using the basement level of the former nightclub.
Led by Swansea Council, the project is part of the wider regeneration of The Kingsway. It also forms part of the Swansea City and Waterfront Digital District, which will be part-funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal.
The City Deal for the Swansea Bay City, which covers the four local authorities of Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Neath and Port Talbot, will back the project.
In July, both the UK Government and Welsh Government agreed to release an initial £18m for the Swansea Bay City Deal programme, subject to terms and conditions being met.
The funding is based on the approval of business cases for two City Deal projects – the creative industries Yr Egin in hub Carmarthen, and the Swansea City and Waterfront Digital District.
As as the planned new digital building, the wider Swansea City and Waterfront Digital District will also include a new digital indoor arena and a digital square.
Leader of Swansea Council Rob Stewart, who is also chair of the joint committee of the Swansea Bay City Deal, which with leveraged private sector backing for its projects aims to be worth £1.3bn, said:“This incredible facility will be a beacon for those working in the digital industries and educational sectors.
“It will attract leaders and innovators in those professional worlds to its collaborative and traditional working environments. There will be high quality digital connectivity along with accessible spaces for events and complementary work activities.
“It will be a stunning new place for local people to visit and enjoy, with cultural activities and potential for an exciting food and drink offer.
“I urge people to have their say in this consultation and to be involved in this site’s exciting future. Of course, many already have fond memories of the site’s previous uses as a cinema and club.”
The site is located between The Kingsway and Oxford Street at the heart of Swansea city centre. It incorporates the location of the former Oceana, a former surface car park in Picton Lane and neighbouring access lanes.
The public consultation for 71 & 72 The Kingsway and ends September 27.
