Planning

Pierhead - Architect Led Design Team (RIBA 0-2)

CARDIFF COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

21 May 2026 at 16:05

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Planning

18 May 2026 at 09:56

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cardiff Council is planning a public procurement process to appoint an architect-led, multidisciplinary design team for the redevelopment of a brownfield site on Pierhead Street, Butetown. This project, part of Cardiff Council's substantial housebuilding programme, aims to deliver a residential-led, mixed-use development. The site is situated within Cardiff Bay, an area rich in cultural history and part of the city's docklands. As part of the South Wales Metro plans, Transport for Wales has identified this site for a potential Metro station, adding a significant transit-oriented development element to the project. The procurement currently is in the planning stage and is anticipated to use an open, competitive flexible procedure, with a gross value of GBP 600,000. The tender period is set to close by 5th August 2026, with the award period expected to conclude by 4th September 2026.

This tender provides significant opportunities for businesses in the architectural, construction, and engineering sectors. Firms with experience in high-rise building design, urban planning, and sustainable development stand to benefit greatly. Participating in this tender could enable businesses to be part of a high-profile project in a strategic urban location, enhancing their portfolio and opening doors to further developments within Wales. Suitable bidders are also encouraged from SMEs and VCSEs, providing a broad spectrum of businesses the chance to contribute to a project of substantial social and urban impact, potentially securing long-term business growth within the South Wales region.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Pierhead - Architect Led Design Team (RIBA 0-2)

Notice Description

Cardiff Council seeks to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced multi disciplinary design team for its site on Pierhead Street, Butetown. The Council intends to redevelop vacant brownfield land off Pierhead Street to deliver a residential led, mixed use development. The scheme presents an opportunity to co locate a proposed Metro station promoted by Transport for Wales (TfW). The appointed design team will work collaboratively with the Council and key stakeholders to develop a vision and design proposals up to and including RIBA Stage 2. This will enable the Council to progress the scheme into later stages alongside a development partner. The Pierhead Street site forms part of Cardiff Council's ambitious housebuilding programme, which will deliver over 4,000 new homes across the city. This award winning programme represents one of the largest council housing build initiatives in Wales, supported by investment of approximately PS850 million to deliver affordable homes at scale and pace. Site constraints /opportunities The site is located in a dynamic, waterfront district within Cardiff Bay, a vibrant and culturally rich area at the heart of the city's historic docklands. The site is approx 0.88ha and is comprised of predominantly vacant land with a small, single storey building lies at the far northwest of the site. The site has been identified by Transport for Wales (TfW) as a possible location for a new station as part of the Cardiff Crossrail Project which is an integral part of the South Wales Metro plans which would need to be incorporated into the development options for the site. The site comprises of a relatively flat, derelict area of land. It is visually prominent, with wide views out to the north overlooking the Eastern Bay Link Road (A4232). Key constraints include: Buried dock wall TFW proposed crossrail High Voltage cables Dock feeder culvert Contamination and made ground Access constraints Key objectives: Deliver a sustainable, inclusive mixed tenure neighbourhood that is welcoming to residents Optimise site capacity to deliver 300-350 apartments, comprising: Minimum 200 units for private rent and/or shared ownership in one high rise block (BSA Cat 1 HRB) Approximately 150 units for social rent in a separate block (BSA Cat 1 HRB) Both blocks should incorporate A1 and A3 uses at ground floor All social rented units must meet WDQR space standards. Private rented units are not required to comply with WDQR. Social rented flats must meet EPC A or WG approved alternatives (AECB / Passivhaus aligned). The Private rented /sale block should also ideally meet EPC A if possible. No fossil fuels on any house type. The design team are expected to provide options for the energy strategy for the blocks and provide options appraisal for different solutions, such as GSHP, ASHP and all electric system as well as options for uplifts to AECB or Passivhaus standards Design teams are expected to consider innovative solutions to overheating risks in high rise buildings Green infrastructure, placemaking principles and secure by design principles should be embedded into the scheme to ensure a desirable, sustainable, safe and attractive environment for residents and visitors Scope of services: We are looking to appoint an Architect lead multi-discipline design team with highrise building experience to produce a scheme up to and including RIBA stage 2. This includes reviewing existing documents and designing a project to the RIBA stage 2 plan of works, to allow the Council to progress to a Pre Contract Service Agreement (PCSA) with a development partner, who will submit Planning and ultimately implement the scheme The architect team would project manage the scheme and provide detailed programmes, risks and scheme updates to the client and manage the consultant team. The design team should comprise the following consultants : Architect - lead including Project manager, principal designer, urban design Engineer - civils Engineer - structural MEP consultant Transport planning Planning consultant Landscape architect Fire consultant Please note that this notice is for information purposes only. Any future opportunity will be issued via the Proactis eSourcing Portal. To access the Proactis Portal, please use the following link: https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069ac4
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047393-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71000000 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£500,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 May 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
5 Aug 20263 months to go
Future Notice Date
6 Jul 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
4 Sep 2026 - 5 Sep 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CARDIFF COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CARDIFF
Postcode
CF10 4UW
Post Town
Cardiff
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Cardiff
Electoral Ward
Butetown
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff South and Penarth

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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