Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Baltic House
Butetown, Cardiff, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Commercial
- Date of designation
- 11 March 1991
- Community
- Butetown
- Unitary authority
- Cardiff
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 51.46491, -3.16828
- Cadw reference
- 14001
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1636 "Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ..." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
Occupying most of the south side of the Square opposite the main entrance of the former Coal Exchange. Formerly the site of three houses and an Independant Chapel.
History
1915 (inscribed datestone); by Teather and Wilson FRIBA, architects of Cardiff.
Exterior
Edwardian Baroque style to golden ashlar faced, 6-storey, 5+1-bay main elevation; the apparently unintentional asymmetry of the design suggests that the building may not have been completed. Yellow brick structure with flat roof. A series of round arches links the ground and lower-ground floors which are channel rusticated, as is the tall left end bay. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors are arranged in a grid pattern manner with giant order, panel ornamented Ionic pilasters rising through the full 3-storeys; dentil cornice above with railings to set back top floor; stepped parapet to left end bay. Tripartite horned sash windows to the upper floors; 3rd floor has keystones and bracket sills with oval shaped garlands beneath; the mullions of the tripartite windows on 2nd floor keystones; 3-light windows with transom at impost level and deep sills; metal-barred similar tripartite windows to lower ground floor. The arch on the left end bay does not continue down to lower ground floor. The arch on the left end bay does not continue down to lower ground level, instead the floors are separated here and the ground floor sill projects. The 4-storeys above are however set in a giant arched recess with similar arch moulding; this contains 3-storey splayed and bracketed oriel with bracketed pediment to 2nd floor and otherwise similar window detail; railings to top. The 4th floor has lunette small-pane glazed window and keystone above flanked by garlanded panels. Marbled main entrance centrally placed in the 5-bay part; bracket cornice and panelled pilasters and gold lettering to entablature; broad flight of steps rises within the building. U-shaped at plain rear.
Interior
Partly altered but retains architraves to some corridor arches. Board Room not seen.
Reason for designation
An elaborate example of early C20 commercial building from the height of city's commercial power. Group value.
Nearby in the register
- 20 Mount Stuart SquareCommercialunder 1 mi
- Marine HouseCommercialunder 1 mi
- Crichton HouseCommercialunder 1 mi
- Mount Stuart HouseCommercialunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.