The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has detailed plans to open a new luxury hotel next to Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
The WRU has acquired the former Post Office building on Westgate Street in Cardiff city centre, adjacent to the stadium. It is hoped the new hotel will be opened by December 2020.
The WRU has partnered with Cardiff-based property development company Rightacres and financial services company Legal & General on the project. Legal & General will fund the hotel on behalf of Legal & General Retirement Institutional.
The development will also include the former Inland Revenue Building, with existing buildings to undergo significant renovation work before being transformed into the Westgate Hotel.
The hotel will feature 165 bedrooms, 15 VIP suites, two restaurants, a rooftop spa with outside jacuzzi, meeting facilities and a ballroom for 400 guests.
WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips said: “Principality Stadium is internationally recognised as an iconic destination for rugby and many other sports, music and live events by fans from around the world.
“Developing this new hotel will allow us to diversify and supplement our current stadium-based hospitality and conference offering with the additional revenue generated through this business re invested back into the game at all levels.
“Under the WRU’s new governance structure our Professional Rugby Board has direct access to all commercial revenues and this new venture is the perfect example of how the future sustainability of our professional game can be secured.
“The long-term financial gain generated by the Westgate Hotel will be a direct shot in the arm for the PRB as it decides upon the reallocation of funds to the professional game in the years ahead.
“The Westgate Hotel will also be a major asset in the Principality Stadium facilities and events portfolio and highlights both the scale of ambition and potential for growth of Welsh rugby.”
Subject to planning and listed building consent, construction work will begin in June this year.
Image: Welsh Rugby Union
