Three historic buildings are being revived at the site of Swansea’s former Hafod-Morfa Copperworks.
Swansea-based civil engineering firm Andrew Scott, following a competitive tendering exercise, will start work on site this year in a Swansea Council scheme to transform the Vivian and Musgrave Engine Houses and the nearby V&S No.1 Locomotive Shed.
Swansea Council is working on a series of schemes in the River Tawe corridor. The projects are being funded with part of £20m funding from the Ƶ Government’s Levelling Up scheme.
Over the coming few months Andrew Scott, which dates back more than 150 years, will finalise design work.
Council leader Rob Stewart said: “We’re delighted to have Andrew Scott on board for the exciting transformation of these copperworks buildings.
It’s a company with a track record in excellence and they’ll do a great job on helping us to regenerate the Lower Swansea Valley. This is an exciting time for that area as we and others plan to invest tens of millions of pounds there. Our £1bn regeneration of Swansea continues at pace.”
Mark Bowen, managing director of Andrew Scott, said: “As one of Wales’s oldest independent construction companies, we’re proud to be working alongside Swansea Council on the Lower Swansea Valley project to restore and transform key parts of the historic Hafod-Morfa Copperworks.
“As a Swansea-based company, we profoundly appreciate that this iconic site reflects the city’s rich industrial heritage.
“By regenerating these significant buildings, we’re helping to celebrate local identity, strengthen community ties, and ensure future generations can enjoy and learn from this unique part of Swansea’s story.”
Andrew Scott will make the dilapidated V&S No.1 Locomotive Shed, a listed building that served the copperworks, safe and watertight.
The engine houses – both listed buildings – will be made suitable for a range of uses, including restaurants and cafes, exhibition-style space and shops. A new building will link the two engine houses.
The copperworks were key to the growth of Swansea, playing a crucial role as major industry over a 300 year period. The industry declined, but some of its buildings and other structures remain.
Previous projects that Andrew Scott has worked on in Swansea include construction of the new Gorseinon Primary School, the Mumbles’ Marks & Spencer foodhall and the build and renovation of the city centre’s grade two listed Alex Building for the University of Wales Trinity St David. The company also worked on the worked on Technium 1 and the Ethos Building at SA1.
