Hedyn has invested more than £37 million in bringing empty and underused buildings back to life across Newport city centre, creating around 160 new homes and helping to transform the heart of the city.
The latest chapter in Newport’s city centre comeback is our Stow Hill development, which is creating 36 new apartments and commercial space above former retail units and continuing a wider programme of regeneration that has been quietly reshaping Newport over the past five years.
Stow Hill joins a growing portfolio of projects including Albany Chambers, Charles Street, Upper Dock Street, Griffin Island and Olympia House, which together have delivered around 160 homes and attracted more than £37 million of investment.
Backed by more than £7.5 million in Welsh Government and Newport City Council grant funding, the developments have focused on repurposing vacant offices, former commercial premises and historic buildings, helping tackle housing need while supporting local businesses and bringing more people into the city centre.
Peter Crockett, Group Director of Growth at Hedyn, said:
“Successful city centres need people to live in them. Every empty building brought back into use means more neighbours, more footfall and more life in the heart of Newport.
“These developments are helping create a city centre that people choose to call home.
By giving empty buildings a new purpose, we’re helping write the next chapter in Newport’s story and showing how regeneration can support businesses, strengthen communities and create the homes people need.
Peter Crockett
“This momentum is continuing with work for beginning at Factory Road for 43 new homes by Spring 2028, alongside the development of Hedyn’s new offices on Mill Street, further reinforcing Hedyn’s long-term commitment to, and investment in, Newport city centre.”
The approach of developing unused city centre buildings reflects a growing trend seen in towns and cities across the UK, with increasing emphasis on bringing vacant buildings back into productive use.
For Newport, the impact extends beyond bricks and mortar. The investment is creating opportunities for more people to live in urban centres as demand continues to rise across the city. More residents living in the city centre means more vibrant streets, a boost for local businesses and a stronger sense of place throughout the day and evening.
Peredur Owen Griffiths, Plaid Cymru Senedd Member for Casnewydd Islwyn, said:
“Newport has the longest waiting list in Wales with more than 12,456 households waiting for accommodation. Like Hedyn, I support initiatives to bring vacant buildings back into use and create more affordable housing.
“This is why I am pleased that the Plaid Cymru government has brought forward plans to develop a community right to buy scheme that has been absent in Wales despite being introduced in England more than 15 years ago.
“The government is also working on legislation to strengthen enforcement framework and the regulatory role of Rent Smart Wales, as well as requiring the sharing of rent-data, to improve housing affordability, make rent fairer and limit no fault evictions.
Regenerating our communities and ensuring the provision of safe and secure accommodation is in everyone’s best interests and I will continue to support any initiatives that promote that.
Peredur Owen Griffiths
Newport’s population has grown to more than 150,000 in recent years, fuelled by its position between Cardiff and Bristol, with more people moving in and placing pressure on the housing market. The city has also seen particularly strong growth among younger residents, with the number of 25- to 34-year-olds increasing by more than 27% since the last census.
Hedyn’s city centre developments include:
- Albany Chambers – nine apartments and commercial space
- Charles Street – 15 apartments
- Upper Dock Street – 18 apartments
- Griffin Island – 20 apartments and commercial units
- Olympia House – 62 apartments
- Stow Hill – 36 apartments and commercial space
Together, the housing schemes represent one of the most significant programmes of city centre building reuse in Newport in recent years. They demonstrate how forgotten spaces can once again become homes and help create a city centre that is vibrant, sustainable and fit for the future.