A Swansea resident and Ospreys rugby club director, Ian Morgan, is on a mission to breathe new life into the city by reviving empty buildings and transforming them into vibrant spaces. With his companies behind several projects in Swansea, including the completion of the multi-million pound office and commercial project called Princess Quarter on Princess Way, Morgan believes that the city is starting to discover its identity. He sees a promising future for bricks and mortar retail in Swansea and envisions a resurgence taking place.
Morgan’s company, Kartay Holdings, has recently completed the Princess Quarter project, offering flexible office space spread across three floors, a terraced roof with meeting pods and a boardroom, along with space for a coffee shop and two retail units on the ground floor. The focus on providing high-quality office spaces aims to attract top tenants who will contribute to the local economy by driving business within the city. Despite facing challenges such as a shortage of skilled construction and development staff, Morgan remains optimistic about the potential of Swansea.
The office development on The Kingsway, led by Swansea Council, is nearing completion, with plans for a five-storey public sector hub also in the pipeline. Kartay Holdings has set its sights on revitalising Princess House, a 10-storey office building adjacent to Princess Quarter, alongside renovating a row of shops on Oxford Street to create 33 residential flats for a housing association. The company is working to convert the former Ty Gwalia office block on The Kingsway into flats, respecting and enhancing the existing building instead of demolishing it.
In addition to these projects, Morgan plans to refurbish and extend the block housing McDonald’s near Castle Square, converting it into one and two-bedroom flats with new commercial units. With his eye on bringing positive changes to the city, he aims to provide private rental flats that cater to different needs, reflecting a growing demand for urban living spaces in Swansea. The ongoing transformation of Castle Square into a more inviting and greener space further complements these efforts.
Looking beyond the city centre, Westacres, another of Morgan’s companies, is working on housing developments in Gower, with plans to build open market and affordable homes at Crwys Farm. The company is also progressing with The Willows, a 101-unit housing project in Sketty. However, challenges like meeting affordable housing quotas and rising construction material costs persist, posing hurdles for developers seeking to meet housing demands across Swansea.
Amidst these development initiatives, Morgan recognizes the pressing need for skilled tradespeople, planners, and project managers in the construction sector. With Brexit and the ongoing impact of Covid exacerbating talent shortages, he advocates for a collaborative approach between the Welsh Government and industry bodies like CITB to address these workforce challenges and unlock the sector’s growth potential. Despite these obstacles, Morgan remains committed to his vision of revitalising Swansea and nurturing its unique identity.
In conclusion, Ian Morgan’s efforts to rejuvenate Swansea’s urban landscape reflect a growing optimism for the city’s future. By repurposing empty buildings, creating modern office spaces, and providing new residential offerings, his projects are contributing to Swansea’s evolving identity and economic vitality. As the city continues on this path of revitalisation, the collaboration between developers, local authorities, and community stakeholders will be essential in shaping a vibrant and sustainable future for Swansea.