HOT HOUSE II
APENTHOUSE in a prime spot in the Pontcanna area of Cardiff has just come to the market and could be the perfect spot for a party on the roof terrace or a relaxing drink watching the bustling city centre below. This top of the building property is one of four two-bedroom apartments for sale as part of the newly-released phase two development of a 1970s former office block conversion by Acorn Property Group called Cathedral House.
James Groombridge, managing director of the independent property development and regeneration company, said: “The building had originally been used as one office space as a headquarters, and then as commercial offices with a number of short term tenancies.”
The building was bought by the company in May 2014, and there were still tenants in place right up to the sales completion date. And then the ripping out began in August of that year.
James added: “Firstly, the building was ‘soft stripped’ back to its basic build form.
“All internal fixtures and fittings were removed including shared toilet blocks, wall and ceiling treatments, plumbing and wiring and the lift.
“There was a large amount of telecommunications equipment on the roof of the lower building which also had to be removed as well as the fire escape staircase which went up to the seventh floor.”
Phase one of the development comprised of the conversion of 20 twobedroom apartments over seven floors and the refurbishment of an existing eighth floor penthouse.
According to the company, the first residents moved into their plush new pads within 12 months of starting construction.
Situated at the city centre end of Cathedral Road, the new owner of the phase two penthouse can benefit from a short stroll to stunning Bute Park and Pontcanna Fields or a shopping trip into the city centre.
And if a brisk early morning walk in the park sounds tiring, the new owner can get a welcome caffeine fix from coffee shop Kin and Ilk, situated on the ground floor of the building.
But why wander down to street level when this new penthouse has its own south-west-facing roof terrace with panoramic views across the capital city?
Still under construction, see past the currently bare plaster and exposed wires, and the CGI images of the penthouse illustrate what a striking transformation into a contemporary apartment is under way.
Estate Agents Allen and Harris, selling the penthouse, list its key features as including a stylish contemporary kitchen with integrated appliances, wine cooler, Silestone worktops, kitchen island with flush extractor fan and two modern bathrooms, with a double sink in the en suite.
Plus, of course, the roof terrace, flowing seamlessly from the openplan living area via two sets of double doors.
And is sounds like James wouldn’t mind being the first owner of the seventh floor penthouse himself.
He says: “Why would you not want to live here!
“The views across Cardiff are unmissable and are uninterrupted, there’s even frameless glass to the roof terrace garden to make the most of the cityscape.
“The penthouse also benefits from being a completely new build so is low maintenance with a 10-year structural warranty and low running costs with insulation making the penthouse a B rating on its predicted Energy Performance Certificate.”
The phase two penthouse also benefits from a range of building features such as a video entry system, lift access, bin and bike store and secure under croft allocated parking.
But who needs a car when the city centre and Pontcanna are your neighbours?
Cathedral House was once a standard building, housing office workers experiencing the daily nine to five grind, but now it has been given the kiss of residential life – and it looks stunning.
The phase two penthouse is for sale at £495,000. Call Allen and Harris Pontcanna on 029 2022 5700 for further details.