DREAM HOME IN GATED COMMUNITY

ANYONE passing the set of Roman-style columns flanked by two gates at the end of Cathays Park within Cardiff ’s civic centre is sure to be intrigued by the structure, which is a surprise addition to the streetscene. Nestling among the government buildings from different eras and the neighbouring distinctive Cardiff University blocks, it stands out.

But surely the intrigue will extend to where this very elegant brick and stone structure leads, and most Cardiff residents who know the location will say it is the gateway to one of the capital city’s most exclusive places to live.

Queen Anne Square is an idyllic island of dream homes within Cathays Park conservation area, close to the hustle and bustle of the city centre, surrounded by a visual feast of substantial civic buildings and just across the road from the beautiful Bute Park, Alexandra Park and the castle grounds; what a location.

It’s not a surprise to discover that the classical colonnades, brick and freestone dressings of the gateway to this prime slice of Cardiff real estate achieved a Grade II listing in 2001 for its ‘special contribution to the architectural character of the civic centre to which, with Aberdare Hall, defines the north end.’

The pattern of the houses built within Queen Anne Square follow a layout based on Thomas Jefferson’s University of Virginia. The grand project was originally commissioned in the 1930s and personally supervised by the Marquess of Bute, according to a design by the architect Howard Williams.

According to the Grade II listing of the gateway, the whole plot was built between the 1930s and the 1950s to be aligned with King Edward VII Avenue to the south, on a site originally earmarked for a Welsh parliament house. In 1941 the Ordnance Survey map shows just nine of the current 31 houses had been built. The square can also boast that each house within this gated community has its own individual design.

Although within a five-minute walk of the city centre, Queen Anne Square offers residents a tranquil island of suburbia centred around its own tree-lined, mini village green and a unique and private community atmosphere.

That’s not to say the square hasn’t had its busy days, especially when there have been famous visitors attracted by the square as a smart filming location. The most recent visitors were Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, filming the popular BBC Cymru Wales drama Sherlock.

Local legend says that the Marquess of Bute initially banned doctors and solicitors from living in the square as he feared the constant visits by patients and clients would disturb the tranquillity and peace which he aimed to create within this tree-lined square, so he surely would not have been impressed with the activity of a busy TV crew turning up for a day and camping out in the square.

While no-one is banned from living in the square today, the peace that the Marquess craved still remains and is appreciated by the current owner of this detached home for sale. It’s just one of a raft of reasons why the square is such a desirable place to live, so when a house is put on the market it is snapped up – but it hasn’t always been a site for millionaires only.

Back in 1997 number three was for sale for £200,000, a bargain by today’s elevated property prices. Now the average on the square, bearing in mind each home is different in design and size, is £840,000 according to property portal Zoopla, but this is based on just a single sale back in 2019.

In fact, there has only been this sale within the last five years and only four sales in total within the last 10 years, so when the estate agent states this is a rare opportunity to join the Queen Anne Square community they are not wrong. Now one of the distinctive detached houses is for sale and offers a lucky new owner spacious, contemporary living within a pretty period shell within this private estate.

The front door is found to the side of the house, meaning the bayfronted living-room and formal dining-room occupy village-green prime-position views at the front of the house.

The hall combines high-shine flooring and pale tones with a warm wood staircase and internal doors, and is a welcoming first space. But as soon as you enter you are instantly distracted by the glass double doors that tease you with glimpses of arguably the showcase space in this special property.

At the rear of the house, spanning the whole width and about half of the overall floorplan, is an open-plan kitchen, diner and lounge that is an absolute stunner.

From the continuation of the highshine floor to the vaulted ceiling with roof windows above the kitchen and the bi-folds out into the garden, this massive room oozes contemporary interior design style with waves of light from multiple sources.

But this is a well-loved home that also disarms you with welcoming decor via the current owners’ sociable style that oozes visual warmth, inviting you to linger and get comfortable, and to also take time to

admire their fascinating possessions that give this house so much personality.

One thing is for sure when it comes to interior design here – there are no sterile spaces promoting hard, cold decor in this Cardiff dream home. This open-plan room is, of course, the social hub of the home, and the party and social gatherings it surely regularly hosts can easily spill out into the beautiful garden via the bank of bifold doors in the kitchen zone.

The garden is a tranquil space, full of trees, ornamental shrubs and landscaped areas of lawn, plus a sunny terrace where regular alfresco dining is a must – it seems rude not to with a garden this pretty and well maintained as your perfect dining backdrop.

In the far corner of the garden is an attractive oriental-style summerhouse accessed via a charming bridge over a pretty pond, ensuring this area is a distinctive and delightful destination.

Back inside the house, and there’s a handy utility room off the kitchen, as well as a cloakroom off the hall, and a garage at the end of the drive. The separate living-room and formal dining-room at the front are both spaces that look out over the square’s central green lawn and, although more formal in nature, the welcoming and warm decor continues into these spaces.

The living-room can boast the bay window plus a side picture window that adds another angle of the view of the central green. There’s also a fireplace and ceiling rose detailing, as well as gorgeous wood flooring to add another layer of visual warmth to the rich colours and tactile fabrics found in this room.

The dining-room next door has a generous picture window that perfectly frames the view of the square’s lawn, and if not needed as a dining space would make a very special home office. However, with four bedrooms upstairs too, the choice of where to plug in your laptop is varied.

Maybe one room to avoid adding a work desk and just enjoy the space for relaxing and sleeping is the master bedroom. Located at the front of the house, the master bedroom, of course, takes prime position over the living-room and so protrudes into the front garden.

The result is a dual-aspect bedroom that offers a number of locations for the bed that result in a central square view directly from the pillow. It’s a spacious room that can also boast an ensuite.

One of the remaining three double bedrooms has a built-in wardrobe that if you step inside has hidden storage space behind – very The Chronicles of Narnia, and quite possibly the best hide-and-seek spot in the house.

There’s also a stylish family bathroom up on the first floor, also a bonus feature that comes as a total surprise as it is well hidden from inside and out. At the top of the stairs an intriguing set of french doors take you out onto a spacious roof terrace.

This extra feature is a wonderful, private place to relax and look down on the garden.

The Queen Anne Square stunner is on the market for £1.25m with Jeffrey Ross, call their Pontcanna branch on 029 2049 9680 to find out more.