Llys Glas

Llys Glas is the innovative redevelopment of Swansea’s former central police station on Alexandra Road. The property is grade II listed and a landmark building in Swansea. It is an Edwardian building of red brick and dressed stone with several interesting features both external and internal. But when Gwalia acquired the building in 2001, it was in a derelict condition and in need of considerable refurbishment, having laid empty for several years.
The redevelopment was undertaken in three phases – firstly, the provision of 80 student accommodation units, - secondly arts workshops, high quality conference facilities and office space, and finally, the creation of Tapestri - an arts café bar and bistro which operates as a social enterprise providing young people with training in catering and business skills.
Gwalia set high standards in the refurbishment - reusing materials and retaining original features where feasible. New materials were chosen to be sympathetic to the original design and environmentally sustainable, including timber from sustainable sources and solar panelling to provide hot water.
The judges felt that Llys Glas provides an excellent example of reuse rather than building from new and a great resource that can have a significant impact on the economy and cultural capital of Swansea.