An office building in the centre of Swansea is being transformed in a £6m investment.
As part of a major revamp the four-storey Orchard House will have two floors added.
Swansea-based Orchard House Swansea Ltd owns the building’s first two floors, which will be let as commercial and office space.
The building’s upper four storeys are owned by housing association Pobl Group, which will be provide 52 new city centre living apartments.
The construction is being carried out by South Wales-based Jehu Group and is due to be complete in summer 2020. It will see the building recladded.
The plans align with Swansea Council’s regeneration strategy that aims to facilitate more people living and working in the city centre. The council is behind the ongoing £12m upgrade of The Kingsway.
Leader of Swansea Council, Rob Stewart, said: “I warmly welcome the ambition being shown for Orchard House; this work will bring new homes and business opportunities to the Kingsway as well as restoring another major building in the city centre.
“I congratulate Orchard House Swansea Ltd, Pobl and Jehu on this initiative. The council’s £12m investment to create a vibrant new Kingsway business district coupled with the delivery of the City Deal is giving confidence to invest in our city.
Most Read
"Private sector partners are joining the council and our public sector partners to create more homes, more jobs, and more businesses.”
Pobl Group secured planning permission for the revamp project in February.
Nick James, of Orchard House Swansea Limited, said: "The Kingsway will be a great place to live and do business in the years to come and that's one reason why the total upgrade of Orchard House is so exciting.
“We have a number of ground floor units where we currently have some great tenants in occupation. We’ll be working closely with them during this year-long construction project. Of the empty units we expect strong interest."
Andrew Vye , director of communities and business development at Pobl, said: “There will be 52 homes for rent; a mixture of one- and two-bedroom apartments.
"We are excited to be a part of the regeneration of The Kingsway, providing affordable, yet high quality homes in the heart of the city centre - a sustainable location, with ease of access to all of the local facilities.”