Signature Living to create 200 jobs with first major project outside Liverpool

Developer Signature Living has started work on a multi-million pound project to breathe new life into the historic Coal Exchange in Cardiff.

The £35m redevelopment, which is the Merseyside firm’s first big scheme outside Liverpool, will see Signature Living the Grade II-listed site into a 200-suite hotel with space for weddings and other events.

The 180,000 sq ft project is expected to create more than 200 full-time, part-time and temporary construction jobs.

Signature Living managed to beat over 100 rival bids to secure the work, which will include a heritage area dedicated to showcasing the building’s history, with a First World War memorial to be built in its grand hall.

Elsewhere, Signature Living is in talks with community groups over plans for a small museum that would celebrate the history of the Cardiff Bay area.

Phase one of the development will focus on restoring the structure’s front end to pave the way for hotel rooms and a new reception area.

Lawrence Kenwright, the co-founder of Signature Living, said: “Today marks the beginning a new, exciting and long-term future for this great building and we’re thrilled to finally get work underway. It is our first major development outside of Liverpool.

“We intend to save the Coal Exchange by transforming it into something the whole of Wales can be proud of once again.”

He continued: “We’re not just creating a luxury hotel and first class events space, this development will have the community at its heart as demonstrated by our commitment to creating a heritage area and museum.

“Our vision is for this to be a place that local people can call home too.”

The development is due for completion by Spring 2017.

Vaughan Gething, a Member of the National Assembly for Wales for Cardiff and Penarth, commented: “I am delighted that work is now underway on Signature Living’s project to regenerate the Coal Exchange.

“The new hotel, conference and events facility will significantly boost the local economy, create jobs and apprenticeship opportunities and will further add to regeneration efforts in the area.”

He added: “I am particularly pleased that this project will preserve the heritage of this iconic building and that the local community will be engaged on the creation of a small museum to celebrate its history.”

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