The company that will operate Swansea’s restored historic Palace Theatre said it is on track to open its new co-working space offer in the listed building this September.
Tramshed Tech runs five co-working and business support venues in Cardiff, Barry and Newport. Its next venue at the 136-year-old theatre is being made possible through a £10m investment from Swansea Council which has revived what had become a dilapidated building.
Tramshed Tech said the Palace Theatre is on track to welcome occupiers in September and is in talks with a number of businesses regarding office space and events. A spokesperson added: “We feel incredibly honoured to have the opportunity to breathe new life into Swansea’s Palace Theatre - a building that the community holds so dear.
“We couldn’t be more excited to open our sixth Tramshed Tech, providing a welcoming workspace and community hub designed to support tech, digital and creative business owners in and around Swansea.”
Swansea Council acquired the building from its private owners before the pandemic. Contractor R&M Williams began work on site in November 2021.
The flat-iron building comprises a basement, ground floor and three storeys above. Rob Theophile, project manager at R&M Williams, said the work has been challenging. He added: “A big part of the roof had collapsed, and we had to get steel trusses in while supporting the building,” he said. “After that we had to demolish quite a few floors to get a lift shaft into the basement level. The longest sections of steel were ten-and-a-half metres.”
Specialist contractors have been needed for several elements of the overhaul including lead work and lime plastering. Thousands of original bricks were saved, and iron pillars were restored. Some 60 workers have been on site at peak times.
Built in 1888 for just under £10,000, the High Street building began life as a music hall before various incarnations including a bingo hall and nightclub. In 2009, while in private ownership, it was put on a theatre buildings risk register due to its deteriorating state - a far cry from the times when a boy called Charlie Chaplin appeared on stage and, later, a twenty-something Anthony Hopkins.
Mr Theophile added: “It’s quite an important building for the community as a whole. There has been a lot of interest from the Friends of The Palace Theatre group and from people just walking past on the street.”
Rob Stewart,leader of Swansea Council, said: “The new-look Palace will be a great addition to our fast-evolving city centre. This much-loved historic building had fallen into disrepair under private ownership before we saved it for future generations.
“It’s great to have Tramshed Tech on board - and I look forward to the Palace being a dynamic new base for business; it’ll play a key role in our £1bn regeneration of the city.”
