McMakover for Swansea’s bustling McDonald’s Building

A DRAB-LOOKING city centre block in Swansea partially occupied by a McDonald’s restaurant could be given a major new lease of life.

Plans have been submitted to Swansea Council to upgrade the building, add a five-storey extension at one end and create a new upper floor along the rest of the block.

The new-look building on the corner of Oxford Street and Princess Way would have 29 one and two-bedroom flats, a small retail unit, and cycle and bin storage. The McDonald’s restaurant, meanwhile, would operate just on the ground floor rather than the first floor as well which it does currently. The Taco Bell unit beside McDonald’s would be retained.

The scheme by Kartay Holdings Ltd, if approved, would be the fourth significant development in the immediate area.

A design and access statement submitted on behalf of Kartay Holdings said the block was in poor condition, had a leaky roof and needed upgrading to meet current building regulations.

“Principally the proposal will improve the overall townscape of Swansea city centre and the street-scape of Oxford Street in a visually prominent location,” it said.

The new-look building would be powered by air source heat pumps, with electricity produced via rooftop solar panels. The roof of the extension would be covered with plants.

“The perimeter of the site will be well lit with building lighting and CCTV coverage to the residential entrances and the rear access lane,” added the design and access statement. “Additional features will include enhanced security doors and windows and an intruder alarm system.”

Kartay Holdings is aiming to rent the flats privately and said it envisaged starting work, subject to planning approval, when progress on the adjacent council-led project to transform Castle Square was at a stage where disruption for the public would be minimal.

The Castle Square project, which got under way this summer, aims to create a greener and more welcoming central space in the city as well as introducing two pavilion buildings for food, drink or retail. The council expects the scheme, which is being carried out by Knights Brown, to be completed towards the end of 2026.

The council is also creating a central hub called Y Storfa beyond one corner of Castle Square which will accommodate the central library and other services.

Meanwhile the former Castle Cinema, the other side of Castle Square from the McDonald’s block, is being turned into flats and two commercial units by housing association Beacon Cymru and development partner EasyLiving Ltd.

Shopper Stephen Davies, of Swansea, when shown the images of what the McDonald’s block could look like, said: “I think it will be all right, otherwise it’s going to waste.” Dawn Jenkins, who was with him, said: “It would be lovely if the flats are for Swansea residents.”

Another shopper, who asked not to be named, said of the building: “It needs a bit of rejuvenation, and it’s good to have flats.”