County Hall, Cardiff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids County Hall, Cardiff |
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County Hall
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| General information | |
| Address | Bute East Dock, Atlantic Wharf, Butetown, Cardiff |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 51°28′10″N 3°09′48″W / 51.46956°N 3.16326°W |
| Completed | 1987 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | J. R. C. Bethell |
The County Hall (which in Welsh is Neuadd y Sir) is an important building in Cardiff. It is located next to the old Bute East Dock in the Atlantic Wharf area of Butetown. This building is the main office for Cardiff Council. It's where many important decisions about the city are made.
Contents
History of County Hall
Why Was County Hall Built?
Before County Hall was built, the area around Cardiff had a different local government. In 1972, a new law changed how local areas were managed. This law created a new group called South Glamorgan County Council.
At first, this new council worked from an old building in Cardiff. But it wasn't big enough for all their needs. So, the leaders decided they needed a brand new building. They chose a piece of empty land next to the Bute East Dock. This land used to be part of an industrial area.
Building County Hall
The County Hall was designed by J. R. C. Bethell. He was the main architect for South Glamorgan. The building was constructed between 1986 and 1987. At that time, the area around it was mostly unused land from old factories.
Building County Hall there showed great belief in the future of the area. It was a new kind of public building. It wasn't designed to be huge and overpowering. Instead, it fit in with its surroundings. Lord Callaghan, a former Prime Minister, officially opened the building in October 1988.
Changes Over Time
In 1996, another law changed local government in Wales. The South Glamorgan County Council was replaced. Cardiff Council became the main local authority for the area. This meant Cardiff Council took over County Hall.
Over the years, there have been talks about what to do with County Hall. Sometimes, people have suggested selling it. This was part of plans to save money for the council. There were ideas to build new things on the site, like a large indoor arena. In 2023, the council looked for ideas to develop the whole Atlantic Wharf area. This plan includes a new 17,000-seat arena.
What is County Hall Like?
County Hall is usually three stories tall. But in some parts, it goes up to four or five stories. The roofs are black slate and have a gentle slope. The building is designed around a central open area, like a courtyard.
What Happens Inside?
County Hall is the main office for Cardiff Council. Many different council departments work here. Inside, you'll find the council chamber. This is where important meetings and debates happen. There are also committee rooms for smaller group discussions.
The building also has a special Camera Control Room. From here, staff use CCTV cameras to watch different parts of the city. This helps them monitor for things like illegal dumping or other activities.
Events and Functions
County Hall is also used for other things. It can be rented out for conferences, weddings, and other events. It has its own team that provides food and drinks. There's also a bar for refreshments. The building has special rooms that can hold up to 300 people for events.
