GOLDBECK overcomes complex tunnel and infrastructure constraints to deliver Cardiff Bay landmark

GOLDBECK has completed a multi-storey car park in Cardiff Bay after overcoming significant engineering and logistical challenges on one of the city's most constrained urban sites.

The new Mermaid Quay Multi-Storey Car Park provides 679 parking spaces and serves the popular waterfront destination at the heart of Cardiff Bay. However, behind the completed structure lies a complex construction project delivered alongside live businesses, public footpaths, busy carriageways, extensive buried services and a live tunnel interface.

Built for Schroders Capital and will be operated partly by GOLDBECK Parking Services, the development required careful planning from the outset to address foundation constraints, sleeved piling requirements and the presence of HV and LV infrastructure running through the site. Extensive coordination between designers, engineers, specialist contractors and approval stakeholders was required to ensure construction could proceed smoothly while protecting existing infrastructure and maintaining public access around one of Cardiff's busiest visitor destinations.

Completed in approximately 11 months, the project demonstrates how modern construction methods can be used to deliver major infrastructure efficiently in challenging urban environments.

Craig Davies, Managing Director at GOLDBECK, said, "This project demanded a high level of collaboration and engineering expertise from everyone involved. Delivering a major structure on a constrained site above existing infrastructure required meticulous planning and sequencing throughout the programme. We are proud to have delivered a facility that not only meets the operational needs of Mermaid Quay and Cardiff Bay but also makes a positive contribution to the surrounding environment."

The structure was delivered using GOLDBECK's composite steel and precast concrete system, enabling rapid assembly while maintaining the durability and robustness required for a high-capacity public facility. The completed building provides 597 standard parking bays, 33 accessible spaces, 29 family bays, 20 electric vehicle charging spaces as well as bicycle spaces across a split-level arrangement designed to maximise capacity and improve vehicle circulation.

More than 850 twisted aluminium fins create a distinctive façade that changes appearance throughout the day, helping to reduce the visual impact of a large parking structure while giving the building a strong architectural identity. Public artwork, landscaping, wildflower planting and carefully controlled architectural lighting further strengthen the building's relationship with the surrounding public realm.

The facility incorporates a fully cashless ANPR parking management system, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and accessible lift provision, supporting the long-term operational needs of one of Wales most popular leisure and hospitality destinations.

The project will include GOLDBECK Parking Services, contributing its expertise in digital parking solutions by delivering the hardware and software for the parking management system. “We are pleased to provide an integrated hardware and software solution for the parking management system at Mermaid Quay with +gate Parking Solutions. Thanks to fully automated number plate recognition and ticketless processes, we ensure a smooth and efficient flow at the entry and exit points of the car park. This not only enhances convenience for parking users but also sustainably increases the overall attractiveness of the location,” says Gregor Hensel, Managing Director of GOLDBECK Parking Services GmbH.

He adds: “With our Software-as-a-Service solution, the client benefits from an integrated approach to managing, monitoring and billing their parking operations. Transparent insights into site performance enable targeted control and optimisation – reducing operational effort and ensuring economically efficient management.”

The project has also been recognised for its approach to responsible construction, receiving recognition through the Considerate Constructors Scheme for its commitment to community engagement, site standards and local stakeholder relations throughout delivery.

With its combination of complex engineering, modern construction methods and destination-led design, Mermaid Quay Multi-Storey Car Park demonstrates how essential infrastructure can be successfully integrated into a sensitive urban environment while supporting the continued growth of Cardiff Bay.