The new BBC Wales headquarters is emerging from a huge hole in the ground the size of two-and-a-half football pitches in the centre of Cardiff.
Nearly 50,000 cubic metres of materials were removed from the site of the former bus station at the Central Square regeneration scheme to create a huge hole nearly 7 metres deep to accommodation the lower and upper basement levels of the 150,000 sq ft scheme.
The excavation work, which took 11 weeks, was carried out local firms Cardiff Demolition and transport specialist Neal Soil Suppliers – with 5,588 wagon journeys required.
And following piling work part of the building’s basement is now clearly visible.
The building is scheduled for practical completion in the second quarter of 2018, when BBC Wales will start the technical fit out ahead of taking occupancy in 2019.
It will accommodate around 1,200 staff.
The project forms parts of the wider Central Square regeneration scheme between Cardiff-based property development firm Rightacres Property and financial services giant L&G.
Computer generated image of BBC Cymru Wales’ new HQ at Central Square
L&G has invested £400m into the scheme that will eventually provide up to 1 million sq ft of new office, residential and leisure space
