This project has brought Swansea’s Grade II listed Palace Theatre back to life, with a sensitive restoration that has turned a once-prominent landmark into a new high-tech, co-working space for Swansea Council and Tramshed Tech, preserving the building for generations to come.
The theatre had fallen into a significant state of disrepair so Swansea Council purchased the building with the intention of refurbishing it, as part of their vision to regenerate this part of the city centre and high street.
The redesign of the Palace Theatre was ambitious, innovative, and historically sensitive. The restoration has not only retained but shone a spotlight on many of the theatre’s original features, such as the proscenium arch and stage house equipment. Stakeholders praised engineering solutions that preserved these features while enabling modern use. The Theatre’s Trust particularly valued the flexibility to potentially revert the space to a functioning theatre.
The project teams worked closely together to bring the building back from the brink. The derelict building was made-safe, restored and reconfigured, with new floor spaces throughout to maximise the lettable area for the client, resulting in five floors of unique event and collaborative workspace, with a capacity of approximately 300 people.
Managed by Tramshed Tech, Swansea Council’s end-tenant, and home to new independent coffee shop ‘Da’, the building is in the perfect city-centre spot, offering car-free access via excellent public transport links.
Three Winning Facts:
- Constructed in 1888, the Palace was the first place in Wales to show a silent picture, and the building managed to survive the Blitz while much of the city was devastated. Many famous faces have trodden the boards here, including Charlie Chaplin and Sir Anthony Hopkins.
- The refurbishment was part of Swansea Council’s ambitious £1bn regeneration programme.
- This may be the only listed theatre now functioning as an office in the UK.
