The Arcadia Residences
The Arcadia Residences
A Prominent city-centre building to be reimagined as a contemporary co-living residence
Location
Newport, Wales UK
Local Authority
Newport City Council
Plot Type
Urban city centre / Conservation context
Project Type
Commercial to residential conversion – Co-living development
To be accomplished
Conversion of a commercial property into four high-quality co-living residential units
Services by Tomil
Development strategy, Architectural design
Planning coordination, Construction project management, Building retrofit strategy
Challenge
The project involves transforming a 20th-century commercial property in Newport into a modern co-living development. The building presents challenges, including an aging structure, heritage sensitivity, and outdated internal layouts. Significant upgrades are required to meet current building regulations, fire safety standards, and energy performance targets. The key challenge is balancing heritage preservation with modern residential functionality.
Approach
We adopted a context-led design strategy that respects the building’s historic character while adapting it for contemporary living. The internal layout was reconfigured to create four efficient co-living units with improved natural light and spatial flow. Retrofit measures and modern building services were introduced to enhance performance. The design approach carefully balances conservation with modern standards.
Solution
The Arcadia Residences will deliver four high-quality co-living homes within a restored period building. The project revitalises an underutilised property while preserving its original identity. Through adaptive reuse and sustainable retrofit, the development improves building performance and long-term usability. The scheme contributes to the wider regeneration of Newport’s urban centre.