Central Square, Cardiff facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Central Square

Sgwâr Canolog
Panoramic view of Central Square in 2023
Type	Pedestrian only
Addresses	1–6 Central Square
Location	Cardiff
Postal code	CF10
Nearest Railway station	Cardiff Central
Coordinates	51°28′34″N 3°10′43″W / 51.4762°N 3.1787°W / 51.4762; -3.1787
Other
Designer	Foster and Partners (Gerard Evenden)

Central Square (which is Sgwâr Canolog in Welsh) is a big public area in Cardiff, Wales. It's right next to Cardiff Central railway station. For many years, from 1954 to 2015, it also had the main bus station. This whole area got a big makeover in the late 2010s and early 2020s, making it a modern and busy part of the city.

Exploring Central Square's Past

Buildings that used to be in Central Square

The old bus station in 2007

The old Marland House in 2012

Before the 1930s, the spot where Central Square is now was a neighborhood called Temperance Town. It had houses, churches, and shops. Because of its history, Central Square is still one of the few places in Cardiff where police can ask people to put away alcohol.

How Cardiff Central Station Changed

Between 1932 and 1934, the Great Western Railway built a brand new station. It replaced the older one from the 1850s. The new building was designed in the Art Deco style, which was very popular then. It was made of Portland stone and had a cool booking hall with special Art Deco lights. On top, there was a clock tower. The railway company even carved its full name onto the front of the building.

While planning the new station, the Great Western Railway asked Cardiff Corporation to improve the area around it. So, starting in 1930, the city began to plan for removing Temperance Town.

Temperance Town's Transformation

The streets of Temperance Town were taken down in 1937. However, World War II put a stop to any further building plans. After the war, things started moving again. A new bus station opened in 1954. Also, a new office building called Marland House was built next to the bus station.

The sculpture Cadar Idris in Central Square in 2006.

In 1999, a tall sculpture called Cadar Idris was put up in Central Square. It was 4 meters (about 13 feet) high. But after only six months, some people said it looked messy. By 2008, it was moved to the Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve.

Modernizing Central Square: The Big Makeover

By the early 2010s, Marland House was an old office building that was hard to rent out. There was also a large car park and some small shops. After the successful development of St David's/Dewi Sant shopping centre, Cardiff Council decided to focus on Central Square. Their goal was to create a modern and welcoming entrance to Cardiff city centre, especially for people arriving by train or bus.

Early Ideas for Improvement

In 2010, a hotel company called Urban Solutions promised £300,000 to help improve Central Square. They also agreed to pay for bike stands and a bike rental spot outside the station.

In 2012, Cardiff Council shared another idea. They wanted to sell the land where the bus station was to build new things. They planned to use some of that money to improve Central Square, even thinking of renaming it "Capital Square." Architects imagined a long fountain and a "Welsh Garden" that would look like the landscapes of Wales. The old bus station would close, and a tall office building would be built there. A new bus station would be built nearby after Marland House was taken down.

The Final Plan Takes Shape

In October 2014, a new and bigger plan was announced. This time, a Cardiff company called Rightacres Property was in charge. The plan included a huge amount of new office space and a 200-room hotel. The famous architects Foster and Partners, led by Gerard Evenden (who was born in Cardiff), were overseeing the design.

This new plan also included a very exciting addition: the new headquarters and main news studios for BBC Wales. This new building would be called New Broadcasting House.

Building the New Central Square

Construction started in autumn 2015 on the land where the old bus station used to be. Marland House was planned to be taken down starting in summer 2016. There was also a proposal for an £80 million upgrade to Cardiff Central station itself. This would include a two-floor shopping area above a new bus station, all connected to the railway station with lots of glass.

One Central Square opened in 2016, and companies like Blake Morgan LLP and Julian Hodge Bank moved in. Two Central Square also opened in 2016, with tenants like Hugh James LLP and the Cardiff School of Journalism.

In 2019, BBC Cymru Wales moved into Three Central Square. This building is right across from the main train station. That same year, Cardiff Council confirmed that the Cardiff Transport Interchange would be built by 2023. This new building would replace the old bus station and be located next to the BBC. Finally, 6 Central Square, which is home to HM Revenue & Customs and is also known as Tŷ William Morgan - William Morgan House, was finished in 2020.

Images for kids

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  Cardiff Central bus station

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  Marland House

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  NCP Wood Street Car Park

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  St Davids House

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  Thomson House

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  1 Central Square

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  2 Central Square

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  3 Central Square – New Broadcasting House

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  4 Central Square – Cardiff Bus Interchange during construction

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  6 Central Square – William Morgan House

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  Statue of Betty Campbell