Journalism School considering move to new 30,000 sq ft offic

One of the UK’s leading journalism schools is considering investing in a new headquarters in the centre of Cardiff.

Part of Cardiff University, the Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, has an office requirement for 30,000 sq ft.

The school, which offers both graduate and postgraduate courses, including in international journalism and broadcast journalism, is being advised by the Cardiff office of chartered surveyors Cooke & Arkwright.

A number of potential locations are under consideration.

Computer generated image of BBC Cymru Wales' new HQ at Central Square
However, the university is keen to move the school close to BBC Wales’ new £120m headquarters at the heart of the Central Square regeneration scheme in the centre of Cardiff.

Related content : Cardiff University's £2.7bn economic impact

Work on the 150,000 sq ft new headquarters, immediately in front of Cardiff Central Train Station, started this week. The new HQ will be ready for occupancy in 2019.

Related story : Definitive guide to Cardiff's office and residential developments

Such close proximity to the BBC would not just be a boost in the marketing of the school, but would provide greater opportunities for students to gain valuable work experience with the public service broadcaster.

It could opt for the 135,000 sq ft 1 Central Square office scheme at Central Square, which will be completed early next year.

Related story: Could Cardiff University acquire Welsh Government offices at Cathays Park?

Another option could be for it to move into the 120,000 sq ft 2 Central Square building, which is scheduled for completion – subject to securing planning approval next spring - around the same time of that of the BBC Wales HQ.

The office building will be directly next to the BBC HQ.

Related content: Build, build, build message to Cardiff from leading UK property executive

Any deal would see it vacating its current Cardiff University campus home at Bute Building.

Official position
In a joint statement Cooke & Arkwright and Cardiff University said: "Cooke & Arkwright have been instructed to work with Cardiff University to consider the long-term home of the School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies.

"We are currently working closely together to explore all the possible options and no decisions have been made.”

Looks like another tenant for Rightacres then. All very good news for occupying these offices. You can imagine them being nudged in the direction of number 1, at least if they are in negotiations with a single occupier (e.g. L&G) for Number 2.

I must say I'd be a bit disappointed if they took space in either 1 or 2 Central Square. These will be pricing at 22, 23 or 24 per square foot which is the very top of the market for Cardiff standards. Can the uni really justify that? Isn't it a little bit of a letdown to have a mix of uni offices, lecture rooms, and production facilities in the new prime office location? If I were a prospective office occupier, I'm not sure I'd want to share the building with students tbh: when you have important clients, its just not the right impression having a bunch of 19 yr olds in skinny jeans listening to their ipods in the foya and common areas.

Could they go in Southgate House? I imagine they could buy out leases and make space there and still have something cheaper. Custom House/York Hotel would have seemed appropriate if that was still going to be offices rather than student resi - it would probably have been a bit less expensive than central square.

And if it really did go in Central Square, wouldn't it be better in one of the other phases where they could have something more stand-alone with its own entrance? There are plans for a building of circa 30000 square foot next to Saunders Road I think (Plot 13B). And Plot 13A at the Saunders Road end of the Interchange building is a bit separate to the rest and is about 36,000 square feet. Both can be seen here: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10&start=20.

I agree. I think the School of Journalism would lose prestige if it was based on a couple of floors of an office block. It would be preferable for it to have it's own building. I can understand why the Uni would like to relocate close to the BBC but the rents will be significant.

If they do move what happens to the Bute building? Perhaps they can move the school of Maths there and then redevelop the current awful building on Senghenydd Rd.

That's what happens when you take space in a building ahead of other occupiers isn't it ? Literally anyone could be moving in around you. What if a call centre moved in below you, with young informally dressed staff ? That isn't any different to a bunch of 19 year old students really, probably less well behaved in my experience as well. It can be a real pain - trust me I've been there in that same situation with an important supplier sat in reception next to a bunch of young staff being unprofessional within 10 yards of them.

Anyway, I suppose this is just another article based on the journalist finding out the School of Journalism wants to relocate to somewhere close to the new BBC offices. They might actually be looking at Southgate House for all we know, or some of the later stages of the scheme. That's the trouble with that newspaper, half of what they write isn't anywhere near the truth.

It makes sense for them to be located near the new BBC HQ, but I agree with the other posts in that I would be disappointed to see them move into this development.

I would like to see more corporate clients (i.e. banks/finance firms, law firms, etc.) take up space and form a propper Central Business District in Cardif. Similarly, I'd like to see the entire area in orange used as a serious business district centred around the train station and new bus station, at the heart of the new Metro.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/business-news/central-squares-first-speculative-office-10582649

Sounds like we might hear about some further lettings announcements at Number 1 soon. Apparently there are two other lettings that will take it to 95% let.

Additionally it seems that discussions are going well for Number 2 for around 60% of the space as well.

You do have to wonder how quickly they'll progress with the later phases the other side of wood street if these two buildings do fill up quickly.

EDIT : I put this in the wrong thread sorry, will move it into the Central Square one