Flagship arts centre for Swansea
by Pete Hayman | 15 Jun 2009
Welsh art group, Coastal Galleries, has announced plans to expand into Swansea with the August opening of a new flagship arts centre at the city's historic Ice House.
The group, which currently has showrooms at Narberth and Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire, has agreed a deal to lease two-thirds of the Grade II-listed building from the Landas Group. It is hoped that a South Wales-based restaurant company will occupy the remaining third of the building, which is situated at the heart of Swansea's £400m SA1 redevelopment and is one of only two dockside ice factories remaining in the country.
The new Coastal Galleries venue to showcase international contemporary art and work from a number of renowned artists, including Rolf Harris, Doug Hyde and Sherree Valentine Daines, as well as boasting a stylish new wine bar. Lorna Elliott of Coastal Galleries said: "The Icehouse is such a beautiful building, set in such a picturesque location and we know that by bringing Coastal Galleries to SA1, we will ensure The Icehouse will become a fabulous destination venue for the people of Swansea and beyond."
Ieuan Wyn Jones, Welsh minister for the economy and transport, added: "Sustainability and high quality design are at the heart of the SA1 development, so it is important that new uses have been found for this iconic building while also enabling a Welsh based business to expand its operations."
Welsh art group, Coastal Galleries, has announced plans to expand into Swansea with the August opening of a new flagship arts centre at the city's historic Ice House. The group, which currently has showrooms at Narberth and Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire, has agreed a deal to lease two-thirds of the Grade II-listed building from the Landas Group. It is hoped that a South Wales-based restaurant company will occupy the remaining third
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