Homes plan for historic building

AN HISTORIC building in Cardiff Bay is set to be turned into flats.

St Line House on Mount Stuart Square was previously used as offices, but is set to be converted for residential use after it was acquired by Savills estate agents on behalf of a private client.

The property, near the Wales Millennium Centre and Mermaid Quay, was acquired by Savills from the Welsh Government for £710,000.

The Grade II-listed building is comprised of five storeys and has basement storage, providing a total of around 10,000 sq ft of accommodation.

Constructed in 1855, Mount Stuart Square originally housed merchants and sea captains – but as the docks rose in prominence and wealthy residents moved out, it became a commercial hub with many properties redeveloped for office use.

This change was solidified by the construction of the Coal Exchange building in 1888, but its closure 70 years later has seen the square gradually transition back to its traditional residential use.

Ross Griffin, director in the UK investment team at Savills Cardiff, said: “This is an attractive redevelopment opportunity for our client who will create a wonderful residential scheme in this beautifully presented building.”

Rhydian Morris, a director at JLL Cardiff, who represented the Welsh Government, added: “St Line House served its purpose as an office building for many decades, however the constant evolving office occupier requirements became challenging for this historical Grade II listed building with a redevelopment for a residential use being very appropriate.”