A RARE GEM

EVEN if long-time residents in Cardiff aren’t aware of the name of this truly distinctive road in the city, most will probably recognise it once they are shown a picture of Windsor Esplanade. The terrace row of just 19 unique three-storey stone properties sit on the banks of Cardiff Bay near St David’s Hotel and look out over the wetlands reserve and the water.

The whole terrace is listed as a Grade II gem, not only for their architecture and appearance but also for their collective historic value.

According to British Listed Buildings, the terrace is thought to have been built between 1856 and 1871 probably by Alexander Roos – the architect to the Marquis of Bute.

And this special street is a timecapsule of how the bay area of the capital has evolved.

The terrace was built in to accommodate a variety of professions flocking to the thriving docks during the second half of the 19th century.

The census from the time lists residents as sea captains, merchants, ship brokers, coal merchants, marine agents and even pilots, all attracted to the booming Cardiff docks area.

Since then, the properties have witnessed the changes which have happened in Cardiff and beyond.

From the height of the area’s popularity, through the struggles of the demise of the docks and the dereliction of many of the bay’s period properties, to the rise of the bay area once more through its regeneration during the 1990s.

At this time, homes on the street were being valued as low as £65,000.

According to property portal Zoopla, number 11 on the street was sold for just £93,000 in 2001.

But since then the properties on this now prestigious street have galloped up the pricing ladder to currently reach well over half a million pounds.

Considering their location, history and unique design, it’s no surprise to discover that the homes rarely come onto the property market.

Homeowners seem to love living on the esplanade, admiring the uninterrupted views over the wetlands reserve and Cardiff Bay plus the convenience to local shops and restaurants and the city centre.

The street’s prominence within Cardiff’s housing history, as well as its location, is undisputed.

A conservation area appraisal report in 2009 by conservation officers at Cardiff County Council, described Windsor Esplanade as the most complete surviving terrace of the original Butetown suburb.

Now the chance has come to join the small group of homeowners that can claim to be living on one of Cardiff’s earliest terraces, as one of the properties has just hit the market.

Back in 1891, this house for sale was home to William H Tucker, a 34-yearold steam tug agent, who lived with his wife Louisa Tucker.

The house managed to squeeze in the couple’s four children, sister and brother-in-law, plus a 12- year-old servant who lived in the attic.

Now in 2020, the home has been restored into a three-storey, five bedroom period family home that showcases the best of its original features combined with sympathetically designed modern additions that complement the home’s history.

A brilliant example of this tasteful combination of past with on-trend interior design is in the bathrooms.

Metallic copper combines with period wood paneling painted in a contemporary dark grey.

Pattern floor tiles are currently a very popular addition to any home and combined with period wood furniture and industrial style taps, shower head and pipework, the result is a bathroom that would not look out of place in a luxury boutique hotel.

And there are two of them to enjoy, both featuring statement, free-standing copper baths, one of which was found on eBay.

A potential buyer will be overjoyed to discover that this attention to detail and stunning style mix of elegant period with contemporary current trends can be found throughout the home.

The hall is a gateway to a feast of visually gorgeous rooms, with the Minton floor tiles leading a visitor past panelled walls to the solid wood, carved staircase.

Skirtings and ceiling coving frame the original features beautifully.

The front room has a huge, stripped wood, bay window with mesmerising views of the wetlands outside but inside the huge fireplace is the dominant, characterful feature.

At the rear of the home, there is a spacious kitchen/diner creating the perfect sociable family and friends space.

Also on the ground floor is a playroom which could be used as a formal dining room, study, office or snug, plus a utility room and cloakroom.

On the first floor the home has three bedrooms, with the master at the front enjoying the bay views and a double at the back enjoying one of those gorgeous bathrooms.

On the second floor can be found the remaining two bedrooms.

The house is on sale for £575,000. Call estate agents MGY on 029 2046 5466 to find out more.