Waterfront developers Nordic Urban have unveiled plans to transform the disused Mount Stuart Graving Docks in Cardiff Bay into a year-round swimming and sauna complex, according to BBC News. The £17 million project will repurpose the grade-II listed Victorian dry docks, which closed to shipping in 2001 and have remained unused for more than two decades, into a modern wellness destination inspired by Nordic bathing culture.
The proposed complex, designed by Finnish practice OOPEAA alongside landscape architects GROSS.MAX and leisure specialists Space & PLACE, will occupy approximately 2,000 square metres and feature a 25 metre outdoor heated swimming pool, hot and cold pools, four saunas, changing and relaxation rooms, a cafe, restaurant, waterfront terraces and a rain garden. The development is modelled on the Allas Pool in Helsinki, which opened in 2016 and now attracts approximately 800,000 visitors annually.
The planning documents outline a vision to convert the "under-utilised docks" into a "year-round public swimming, wellness and cultural destination" rooted in Nordic principles of inclusion and social connection. The scheme aims to establish a contemporary outdoor bathing culture within the city centre.
The development is designed to deliver both premium wellness services and accessible public swimming facilities. According to the proposals, the complex will ensure that residents across all income levels can access high-quality exercise and relaxation amenities in a distinctive urban environment.
The planning documents state:
"This combination transforms the site into a major social and economic engine, delivering clear public health benefits while reinforcing Cardiff Bay's status as a world-class waterfront."
What employment opportunities will the project create?
The complex is expected to generate numerous jobs across the Cardiff Bay area, including positions for lifeguards, swim instructors, reception staff, maintenance engineers, facilities managers, chefs and hospitality workers. These roles will support both the facility's operations and the wider visitor economy in the surrounding area.
How will the complex operate year-round?
The attraction will remain open throughout all seasons, including winter months, through the use of heated outdoor pools and saunas.
"By introducing year-round heated open-air pools and saunas, the development creates a resilient, weather-proof attraction,"the planning application explains. This all-season operation is intended to maintain steady visitor numbers to Atlantic Wharf during winter, providing consistent economic support to neighbouring businesses, restaurants and hotels in Mermaid Quay.
What is the project timeline?
The public consultation period closed on 13 October 2026, with feedback to be reported to Cardiff Council alongside the formal planning submission. Nordic Urban indicated it planned to submit a formal planning application to Cardiff Council in October 2026, with construction expected to take approximately two years after permission is granted.
This Cardiff project represents Nordic Urban's first UK and Ireland venture, with the developer signalling intentions to develop at least five similar facilities across the region. The initiative aligns with broader trends in British leisure culture, as sauna culture expands rapidly across the UK with advocates suggesting saunas could become new social hubs, while heated outdoor swimming facilities have grown increasingly popular as year-round swimming options expand across Britain.
Key Facts
- The £17 million complex will occupy approximately 2,000 square metres of the grade-II listed Mount Stuart Graving Docks
- The facility will include a 25 metre heated outdoor pool, four saunas, hot and cold pools, and dining facilities
- The design is inspired by Helsinki's Allas Pool, which attracts around 800,000 visitors annually
- The project is intended to operate year-round with heated facilities to maintain winter visitor numbers
- Construction is expected to take approximately two years following planning approval
