It houses the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales and opera, dance, theatre and literature companies, with a total of eight arts organisations in residence.

[15] It was suggested that the bid failed because of "the unpopular Conservative government's fear of controversy", favouring the funding of projects perceived as more populist, such as the Millennium Stadium.

Cardiff Council had to buy the land after the previous owners, Grosvenor Waterside (the property division of Associated British Ports) threatened to build a retail centre there due to the delays.

[17][18] Further boosts were given by large donations from South African businessman Donald Gordon and a loan from the international bank, HSBC.

The £20 million donation from Donald Gordon was split evenly between the Royal Opera House and Wales Millennium Centre and was spread over five years.

[28] Other contractors included Stent (foundations), Swansea Institute of Higher Education, now part of University of Wales Trinity Saint David (glass), GH James Cyf (stonemasonry), Rimex (stainless steel), Alfred McAlpine (slate), Coed Cymru (wood), Ann Catrin Evans (door furniture) and Amber Hiscott (etchings on glass walls).

[28] The building was designed to reflect many different parts of Wales with local Welsh materials that dominate its history: slate, metal, wood and glass.

But it was ideal for making walls like the one I had in mind... —architect Jonathan Adams[31] Metal Wales Millennium Centre's main feature, the bronze coloured dome which covers the Donald Gordon Theatre, is clad in steel that was treated with copper oxide.

For the Wales Millennium Centre I thought it was important that the materials should have a "natural" texture, and that they should be instantly recognisable to anyone seeing them, even from a distance.

Oak, ash, beech, sycamore, alder, birch, chestnut and cherry woods from renewable sources in mid-Wales will be used together in proportions that reflect their relative availability from the forest.

"[34] Calligraphy The inscription in the front of the building in Welsh reads:CREU GWIRFEL GWYDRO FFWRNAIS AWEN(Creating Truth Like Glass From Inspiration's Furnace).

The inscription over the entrance of the Wales Millennium Centre is a revival of this classical tradition, and also a recognition of the formative influence of Roman culture upon our nation.

Its copper dome reminded me of the furnaces from Wales's industrial heritage and also Ceridwen's cauldron, from which the early poet Taliesin received his inspiration ('awen').

—Gwyneth Lewis[37]In These Stones Horizons Sing is also an orchestral work, composed by Karl Jenkins and commissioned by Wales Millennium Centre for the building's opening.

[38] This was followed by a speech from Rhodri Morgan, the First Minister, who stressed that the new arts centre belonged to the whole nation, that it was for all of the people of Wales and not just for the elite.

This included tributes from Robert Hardy, Jonathan Pryce, Derek Jacobi, Nana Mouskouri, Catrin Finch, Ruth Madoc and Ian McKellen.

Bryn Terfel started with a short speech and introduced the Wales Millennium Centre singers and dancers, who in hard hats and donkey jackets sang and danced the story of the building's construction.

A continuous stream of people filled through the building during the day, which concluded with a fireworks display in the Roald Dahl Plass.

[38] Philip Madoc, Siân Phillips, Gaby Roslin, Michael Ball, Charlotte Church, Catrin Finch and Only Men Aloud!

[38] The 2022/23 refurbishment of Wales Millennium Centre started with the opening of an immersive theatre space called Bocs (Welsh for box) on 27 August 2022.

[60] Phase 2 was designed to fit into Wales Millennium Centre's curved slate frontage, with an upper part constructed from timber.

[61] The main contractor was again Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd,[62] with MJN Colston Ltd responsible for the design and installation of all the mechanical, electrical and public health services in the building.

[60] It ended when the keys to the building were handed over at an official ceremony in September 2008,[67] and BBC Wales began to fit out the interior of the Hoddinott Hall.

[68] Phase 2 also includes the 60 seat Grace Williams Studio, which is used by BBC NOW and Chorus for workshops and rehearsals for its outreach work.

It included the world premiere of St Vitus in the Kettle by Simon Holt, the orchestra's composer in association, who took over from Michael Berkeley.

[28] In addition, a private investor, South African businessman Donald Gordon, donated £20 million to be shared equally between the Royal Opera House and Wales Millennium Centre.

[79] The National Assembly for Wales announced on 6 November 2007 that it was to pay off the outstanding loan of £13.5 million from HSBC and also increase its annual funding.

The money came from unallocated funds from the Assembly's previous budget and the then Minister for Heritage, Rhodri Glyn Thomas, said that it would not come at the expense of other art projects in Wales.

[1] Phase 2 was built by Concert Bay Ltd, a subsidiary of Sir Robert McAlpine Enterprises Ltd, which co-funded the scheme along with Lime Property Fund.

[87] The spin-off series Torchwood has its headquarters, known as "The Hub", set underneath the Water Tower in Roald Dahl Plass,[88] with Wales Millennium Centre's frontage featuring heavily through the show.