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List of tallest buildings in Cardiff

Part of Cardiff's skyline during 2020

This is a list of the tallest buildings in Cardiff that are 45 metres (148 feet) in height and above in the capital of Wales. They include buildings ranging from the ornate civic centre to the historic Cardiff Castle and Llandaff Cathedral.

The city's growth is reflected in its growing skyline.[1] As is the case with many British cities, some of Cardiff's skyline comprises 1960s and 1970s residential and commercial tower blocks. However, current development trends for high-rise buildings include upmarket apartments and office space.

Cardiff is the largest city in Wales and has the most tall buildings in the country.[2] Designed by Rio Architects,[3] the tallest building in Cardiff is Bridge Street Exchange at 85 m (279 ft). It replaced Capital Tower in 2018, which, at 80 m (260 ft), which had been the tallest building in Cardiff since 1970.

Cardiff Council considers a tall building within the city centre and Cardiff Bay to be 8 storeys or more or from 25 m (82 ft) in height.[4] Any proposals to the council for a tall building should "Generally be located within an existing cluster or form part of a proposal to create a new cluster (a cluster can be defined as a group of buildings which form a visual cohesion from more than one viewing point)".[4]

Completed buildings & structures

[edit]

This lists completed and topped out buildings & structures in Cardiff that are at least 45 metres. This includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts.

Rank Name Image Height (m) Height (ft) Floors Year Completed/Topped Out Primary Use Location Coordinates Notes
1 1-6 Guildford Crescent
96 314 30 2025 Residential City Centre Started construction in 2021, topped out in 2025.[5][6]
2 Plot 1
90.5 296 29 2025 Mixed use / Residential Central Quay Started construction in 2022, topped out in 2025.[7]
3 Principality Stadium
90 (masts) 295 (masts) 1999 Stadium Stadium Plaza 51°28′41″N 3°10′57″W / 51.4780°N 3.1825°W / 51.4780; -3.1825 (Millennium Stadium) [8]
4 Bridge Street Exchange
85 279 26 2018 Student residential and retail units City Centre 51°28′48″N 3°10′21″W / 51.4800°N 3.1725°W / 51.4800; -3.1725 (Bridge Street Exchange) [9][10][11]
5 Gramercy Tower, 6 Curran Road
84 275 27 2025 Residential City Centre Started construction in 2020, topped out in 2024.[12]
6 Wood Street House
83.5 274 22 2023 Residential and public transport interchange Central Square 51°28′38″N 3°10′43″W / 51.4773°N 3.1786°W / 51.4773; -3.1786 (Interchange Tower) [13]
7 Capital Tower
80 262 25 1967 Office and retail units City Centre 51°28′58″N 3°10′39″W / 51.4829°N 3.1776°W / 51.4829; -3.1776 (Capital Tower) From 1967 until 2018, the tallest building in Cardiff to the top of the roof.[14]
8 Stadium House
78 (excluding spire)

125 (including spire)

256 (excluding spire)

410 (including spire)

17 1976
(Renovated 2002) 		Office Stadium Plaza 51°28′40″N 3°10′50″W / 51.4778°N 3.1806°W / 51.4778; -3.1806 (Stadium House) With the communications mast, the structure (added in 2002) is the highest point in Cardiff. The stainless steel mast measures 131 feet (40 m).

The lower levels of the building houses the Cardiff Empire Telephone Exchange. [15]

9 Plot 2
76 249 24 2025 Mixed use / Residential Central Quay Started construction in 2022, topped out in 2025.[16]
10 Zenith
75[note 1] 246 26 2019 Student residential Capital Quarter 51°28′35″N 3°10′17″W / 51.4764°N 3.1715°W / 51.4764; -3.1715 (Zenith) [18]
The Copper Works (Y Gwaith Copr)
75 246 23 2023 Residential Capital Quarter 51°28′36″N 3°10′15″W / 51.4767°N 3.1709°W / 51.4767; -3.1709 (The Copper Works) [19]
11 Altolusso
72 236 23 2005 Residential City Centre 51°28′39″N 3°10′21″W / 51.4775°N 3.1725°W / 51.4775; -3.1725 (Altolusso) [20]
12 Tŷ Pont Haearn
63 207 21 2005 Student residential and lower multi-storey car park City Centre 51°28′41″N 3°10′21″W / 51.4780°N 3.1725°W / 51.4780; -3.1725 (Ty Pont Haearn) [21]
Meridian Gate
63 207 21 2009 Hotel City Centre 51°28′36″N 3°10′25″W / 51.4768°N 3.1737°W / 51.4768; -3.1737 (Meridian Gate) [22]
13 Tŷ Admiral
61 203 14 2015 Office and retail units City Centre 51°28′46″N 3°10′22″W / 51.4795°N 3.1728°W / 51.4795; -3.1728 (Ty Admiral) Not to be confused with Admiral House.
Designed by Glenn Howells Architects at a cost of £58 million.[23]
Premier Inn (Stadium) Hotel
61 200 18 2023 Hotel / restaurants City Centre 51°28′35″N 3°10′32″W / 51.4763°N 3.1755°W / 51.4763; -3.1755 (Premier Inn Hotel) [13]
14 Holland House
60.3 198 15 1968
(Renovated 2004)[24] 		Hotel (former office) Newport Road 51°29′01″N 3°10′02″W / 51.4836°N 3.1672°W / 51.4836; -3.1672 (Holland House) [25]
15 Llandaff Cathedral
59.40 195 1290 Religion Llandaff 51°29′45″N 3°13′05″W / 51.4958°N 3.2180°W / 51.4958; -3.2180 (Llandaff Cathedral) Until 1967, the tallest building in Cardiff to the top of the spire.[26]
16 City Hall Clock Tower
59 194 1905 Civic building Cathays Park 51°29′06″N 3°10′45″W / 51.4850°N 3.1792°W / 51.4850; -3.1792 (Cardiff City Hall Clock Tower) [27]
17 William Morgan House
58 (approx) 190 12 2020 Office Central Square 51°28′39″N 3°10′48″W / 51.4776°N 3.1801°W / 51.4776; -3.1801 (William Morgan House) UK Government Regional Hub and offices of HMRC. Named after the bible translator William Morgan (1545–1604).[28][29]
Helmont House
58 190 12 1984 Office / Hotel Canal Quarter 51°28′52″N 3°10′17″W / 51.4810°N 3.1713°W / 51.4810; -3.1713 (Helmont House) [30]
Brunel House
58 190 16 1974[31] Office and retail units Newport Road 51°28′56″N 3°10′11″W / 51.4823°N 3.1698°W / 51.4823; -3.1698 (Brunel House) Originally called Great Western House, headquarters for the Western Region of British Rail.[32][33]
18 Pendeen House
56 184 19 2014 Residential Ferry Court,

Cardiff Bay

51°27′13″N 3°10′36″W / 51.45365°N 3.1768°W / 51.45365; -3.1768 (Pendeen House) [34]
19 Vita Student, 11 Park Place
55.2 181 18 2022 Student residential Park Place 51°29′03″N 3°10′30″W / 51.4841°N 3.1749°W / 51.4841; -3.1749 (Vita Student Cardiff) [35]
20 Admiral House
55 180 16 2006 (Renovated) Residential Newport Road 51°29′03″N 3°09′56″W / 51.4842°N 3.1656°W / 51.4842; -3.1656 (Admiral House) Not to be confused with Tŷ Admiral[36]
21 Anchor Works
52 170 15 2024 Residential Dumballs Road Started construction in 2021, topped out in 2024.[37]
22 Landmark Place
51 167 17 2004 Residential and retail units Canal Quarter 51°28′53″N 3°10′17″W / 51.4815°N 3.1713°W / 51.4815; -3.1713 (Landmark Place) [38]
23 Verse, 47-53 Charles Street
50.5 165 16 2023 Residential City Centre 51°28′49″N 3°10′22″W / 51.4803°N 3.1729°W / 51.4803; -3.1729 (Verse apartments) [39]
24 Cardiff University Tower Building
50 164 12 University Cathays Park 51°29′20″N 3°10′51″W / 51.4888°N 3.1808°W / 51.4888; -3.1808 (Cardiff University Tower Building) [40]
25 Vega House, Celestia
48 158 2007 Residential Cardiff Bay 51°27′51″N 3°09′32″W / 51.4643°N 3.1590°W / 51.4643; -3.1590 (Celestia) [41]
Southgate House
48 157 13 1978 Office / Retail Central Square 51°28′40″N 3°10′45″W / 51.4778°N 3.1792°W / 51.4778; -3.1792 (Southgate House) [42]
29 Loudoun House
47 154 16 1964 Residential Butetown 51°28′12″N 3°10′13″W / 51.4699°N 3.1703°W / 51.4699; -3.1703 (Loudoun House) [43]
Nelson House
47 154 16 1964 Residential Butetown 51°28′12″N 3°10′15″W / 51.4701°N 3.1709°W / 51.4701; -3.1709 (Nelson House) [44]
30 ISIS 3D
46 151 15 2007 Residential Century Wharf 51°28′03″N 3°10′29″W / 51.4675°N 3.1747°W / 51.4675; -3.1747 (ISIS 3D) [45]
Eastgate House
46 151 14 1969 Office Newport Road 51°29′06″N 3°09′57″W / 51.4851°N 3.1658°W / 51.4851; -3.1658 (Eastgate House) [46]
McKenzie House
46 151 12 University Newport Road 51°29′02″N 3°09′58″W / 51.4840°N 3.1661°W / 51.4840; -3.1661 (McKenzie House) Previously known as NPI House[47]
St Andrews United Reformed Church
46 150 1900 Church Roath 51°29′46″N 3°09′52″W / 51.4960°N 3.1645°W / 51.4960; -3.1645 (St Andrews URC Church, Roath) [48]
31 Brains Brewery Chimney
45.7 150[49] 1938[49] Chimney Central Quay
32 The Aspect
45 148 15 1960s, renovated 2002 Residential and retail units City Centre 51°28′58″N 3°10′16″W / 51.4827°N 3.1710°W / 51.4827; -3.1710 (The Aspect) Converted office block (Fanum House) with 2 additional storeys added in 2002.[50][51]
Strata
45 148 15 2009 Residential Century Wharf 51°28′05″N 3°10′34″W / 51.4681°N 3.1761°W / 51.4681; -3.1761 (Century Wharf: Strata) [52]
The Neighbourhood
45 148 11 Residential and retail units Newport Road 51°29′10″N 3°09′58″W / 51.4860°N 3.1662°W / 51.4860; -3.1662 (The Neighbourhood) Former City Road campus of Coleg Glan Hafren, converted in 2016 into a student accommodation and a coffee shop.[53][54][55]
33 Cardiff Castle Clock Tower
40 131 1873 Monument Castle Quarter 51°28′53″N 3°10′55″W / 51.4813°N 3.182°W / 51.4813; -3.182 (Cardiff Castle Clock Tower) [56]
St John the Baptist Church
40 131 circa 1490 Church The Hayes 51°28′51″N 3°10′42″W / 51.4807°N 3.1783°W / 51.4807; -3.1783 (St John the Baptist Church) [57]

Buildings under construction, approved, proposed, and cancelled

[edit]

Below are sub-sections for the tallest under construction, approved, proposed, and cancelled buildings and structures in Cardiff.

Height figures are rounded to the nearest metre.

Under construction

[edit]

This lists buildings that are under construction in Cardiff and are planned to rise at least 40 metres. Under construction buildings that have already been topped out are listed above.

Rank Name Image Height (m) Floors Year Construction Began Primary Use Location Coordinates Notes
1 Cardiff Sixth Form Boarding Hub
18 Approved 2023, under construction 2024 Student accommodation [58]

Approved

[edit]

This lists buildings that have been approved for, but are yet to start, construction in Cardiff (over 40 m).

Rank Name Image Height (m) Height (ft) Floors Year Approved Primary use Location Coordinates Notes
1 Custom House Street Tower
132 433 42 2016 Student residential / retail City Centre Construction halted after the
installation of drainage/manhole[59][60]
2 5 Central Square 113 370 35 2023 Residential Central Square [61][62][63]
3 Harlech Court
35 Residential Bute Terrace Image shows the former Harlech Court being demolished on the site[64]
4 John Street Tower (John Street - North) 99 324 2018 Mixed use [65]
4 Hallinans House
99 324 32 2017 Mixed use Newport Road Image shows current building[66][67]
5 Friary House
Up to 28 2024 Mixed use City Centre Image shows current building[68][69]
6 The Embankment
25 Residential Dumballs Road Image shows current building[70][71][72]
7 Longcross Court
18 2024 Student accommodation Newport Road Image shows current building[73]

Proposed

[edit]

This lists buildings that are proposed for construction in Cardiff and are planned to rise at least 40 m tall.

Rank Name Image Height (m) Height (ft) Floors Year Proposed Primary Use Location Coordinates Notes
1 Central Square Tower 180 580 50 2025 Residential Central Square [74]

Cancelled

[edit]
Rank Name Image Height (m) Height (ft) Floors Year Primary Use Location
1 Bay Pointe[75] 122.8 403 33 2008 Residential
2 Glass Needle Scheme, also known as Heritage Gateway Scheme[76] 107 352 32 2005 Residential
3 Capitol Apartments[77] 75 246 25 2008 Residential

Demolished

[edit]
Rank Name Image Height (m) Height (ft) Floors Year Constructed Year Demolished Primary Use Location Coordinates Notes
1 Phase 2, Government Buildings, Tŷ Glas
73 239 18 1969 2024 HMRC offices Llanishen 51°31′36″N 3°11′54″W / 51.5267°N 3.1982°W / 51.5267; -3.1982 (HM Government Offices) [78][79]
2 Gleider House, Phase 1 Government Buildings, Tŷ Glas
44.50 146 11 1968 2024 HMRC and Tenovus offices Llanishen 51°31′39″N 3°11′48″W / 51.5276°N 3.1966°W / 51.5276; -3.1966 (Marriott Hotel) [80]

See also

[edit]

Notes

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  1. ^ The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat estimates that the building is 85 m (279 ft), this is based on a floor count of 25 floors. The estimation has been arrived at by analyzing 8,693 other buildings of the same Residential function on this database that do have confirmed heights. The user should be aware that non-standard features, such as significant spires or raised entrances / podiums, may affect the accuracy of this estimation.[17]

References

[edit]
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