Another slab of post-war architecture is to be swept away in Swansea after this modernist building was given unanimous approval by councillors.
The glazed, box-like structure on the corner of Princess Way and St Mary Street will replace the former home of restaurant Mamma Mia's and Smith-Llewelyn solicitors.
The council's planning committee gave the scheme - put forward by a company called Kartay Holdings - the go-ahead, with Cllr Cyril Anderson describing what was there currently as "another building looking very tired on Princess Way".
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The new-look building will feature four retail or food and drink units on the ground floor and three storeys of high-quality office space above.
Adjacent and opposite are listed buildings - namely The Cross Keys pub, St Mary's Church and the former magistrates' court - and part of the site is within the Wind Street Conservation Area.
Planning officers said in a report that they felt the glazed scheme would enhance the surrounding listed buildings, mark an improvement on what was there currently, and make a positive contribution to city.
Cllr Des Thomas said he could recall a decorative paints and wallpaper shop trading from the current building many years ago.
"It is surprising to see a contemporary building (proposed) in this situation, but I suppose we must move ahead, mustn't we.
"It has got a nice design."
Cllr Mike White asked if tactile paving could be installed to help visually impaired pedestrians if cafes with outdoor seating took up space there.
A highways officer said this would be dealt with when the cafe owners, should food and drink units materialise on the ground floor, applied to the council for a licence.
The new building will have rooftop seating and greenery, and will be heated by air-source heat pumps. There will be 25 bike spaces - but none for cars.
At the same meeting councillors gave the green light for the tranformation of the 1950s former BHS building on the corner of Princess Way and Oxford Street. It will become a community hub containing the central library, a cafe and several other services.
The council's Labour administration wants more office workers in the city centre and is behind plans for a flexible, high-tech office building at the former Oceana nightclub site on the Kingsway.
Longer term, it also wants to oversee the redevelopment of a big chunk of land between St Mary's Square and Oystermouth Road - roughly between St Mary's Church and the point opposite the LC - after the new indoor arena, car park, flats and commercial units are completed.
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