It is the biggest mixed-use development scheme ever seen in Wales and could see up to 2.5 million sq ft of  new office, residential and leisure space built.

But how is the waterfront Central Quay development on the site of the iconic Brains Brewery site in the centre of Cardiff progressing?

SA Brain & Co have already relocated its offices from the site to its new HQ and brewing premises at Ocean Way a few miles away.

It will cease brewing next month, with work on demolishing related industrial units starting in July.

By fully relocating from the site SA Brain & Co, which is a partner in the Central Quay scheme with property development firm Rightacres. is providing around eight acres of development land right up to the River Taff.

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The Brains site

The scale of Central Quay could be extended to 14 acres by bringing in land owned by Network Rail immediately south of Cardiff Central Railway Station and the existing BMW car dealership site.

With new office space, bars, restaurants and apartments, over the long-term, Central Quay is expected to create and support thousands of jobs.

The scheme has already secured detailed planning consent for a 800 space multi-storey car park.

Rightacres are currently in discussions with a number of leading car park firms looking to operate the facility.

The Central Quay site is on the land of the Brains Brewery

There is also detailed consent for Central Quay's biggest individual office scheme, in the 270,000 sq ft Ledger building.

When work starts on the 12-storey scheme,  designed by Cardiff-based architectural firm Rio, will be determined by pre-let deals - getting a significant number of tenants signed up before construction.

Like at Rightacre's Central Square scheme in the centre of Cardiff, the building is expected to be forward funded by L&G.

The Ledger building

Rightacres is talking to a number of potential tenants for the Ledger building.

However, there has yet to be any confirmation on the long-term office requirements of existing major employers in the city, such as L&G, Barclays and Deloitte, with a view to potentially bringing their operations in the capital to new single locations.

Central Quay has been identified as a possible location for Cardiff Metropolitan University's new School of Technologies, which is aiming to attract up to 2,000 new students.

The Central Quay site will be alongside the River Taff

A decision has yet to be made on any permanent location for the school. However, it is understood that Cardiff Met has an agreed funding packaging in place running into tens of millions of pounds with a leading bank.

Unlike some other universities in Wales, its finances are in relatively good shape.

The School of Technologies is already operational at its existing campus site in Llandaff, but the challenge will be attracting high numbers of new student to UK leading courses as it looks to expand validated courses in areas from cyber-security to big data.

If it opts for Central Quay it could require a learning campus of around 100,000 sq ft, alongside student accommodation consisting of around 650 apartments.

Overlooking the River Taff will be the scheme's main residential element. This could see around 1,500 apartments in the growing private rented sector (PRS).

Aerial view of the proposed Central Quay development

The master plan from architectural firm Benoy, has provision for around 1 million sq ft of apartments.

It is understood that Rightacres is in discussions with a number of leading players in the PRS marketplace.

There is also interest from a number of hotel operators for a three star and 200 bedroom hotel at Central Quay.

The listed and historic 19th century brewhouse and chimney, with the Brains branding running down its length, will be maintained as key features in Central Quay.

Central Quay

Running in parallel to the brewhouse there are plans for a new office scheme, which alongside the listed building, would provide around 60,00 sq ft of office space.

Some nine projects have been included in the master plan, of which five could be delivered over the next few years.