Meridian Gate, Cardiff

Meridian Gate (Welsh: Porth Meridian) is a hotel and residential skyscraper complex in Cardiff, Wales. It has two buildings, the taller of which is 63 metres high, has 21 floors, and is operated by Radisson Blu. It is the joint-fifth tallest building in Cardiff. The smaller building, Meridian Plaza, is 33 metres high, has 11 floors, and contains luxury residential apartments.

Meridian Gate
Radisson Blu hotel (left) and Meridian Plaza (right)
General information
Type	Residential and Hotel
Location	Cardiff, Wales
Address	Bute Terrace, Cardiff city centre
Coordinates	51.4769°N 3.1737°W / 51.4769; -3.1737 (Meridian Gate)
Construction started	2007
Completed	2009
Cost	£30,000,000/$34,083,000
Client	Imperial Properties Ltd
Owner	Radisson Blu (hotel), Delph (apartments)
Height	63 metres
Technical details
Floor count	21
Floor area	250,000 sq ft
Design and construction
Architecture firm	Wigley Fox Architects.ltd
Structural engineer	RVW
Services engineer	McCann
Other designers	John Wootton, Miller Group, Distinction Contract (Furnishings)
Main contractor	Miller Group

History

Meridian Gate

Meridian Gate during construction in 2007

Meridian Gate in 2011

The building was proposed in early 2004,^[1] obtaining planning consent shortly afterwards. A full application was submitted in 2006 after a change of developer. The site was bought by Radisson Blu.

The building topped out in mid-2008.^{[2][citation needed]}

Architecture and design

The public open space is a mix of hard and soft landscaping. The Barcelona lights were retained but moved, and a statue of Jim Driscoll was placed on an elevated stone plinth. A few parking spaces are allotted, given the central location: 40 spaces allocated for residents, and 35 for the hotel in anticipation that 80% of hotel users use public transport.^{[citation needed]}

The hotel tower has a glazed curtain walling with solar reflective glass and aluminum projecting fins. The intention was to broadly follow the finishes and colors on Callaghan Square and Kingsway.^{[citation needed]}

Review recommendation

Meridian Gate and Altolusso to the right

A concern of the review panel of the Design Commission for Wales was that the building needed to respect the height of the neighboring Altolusso building, another of Cardiff's tallest buildings. Consequently, a slight change in the spacing between the westernmost wing of the Altolusso and the new residential tower was made.^{[citation needed]}

Hotel facilities

The hotel has 215 rooms on 21 floors, two bars, a restaurant, and health spa.^[3][4][5] There are six meeting rooms and a ballroom that provide a capacity of 350 people. The pre-conference area has a capacity of 150.^[6]

See also

• List of tallest buildings in Cardiff