Helmont House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Helmont House |
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Helmont House
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| General information | |
| Type | Hotel and Offices |
| Location | Cardiff, Wales |
| Address | Churchill Way, Cardiff city centre CF10 2NB |
| Coordinates | 51°28′52″N 3°10′16″W / 51.481°N 3.171°W |
| Current tenants | Premier Inn Meltwater Group NewLaw Legal Ltd T/A NewLaw Solicitors Quote Exchange Ltd Horwich Farrelly Solicitors, Cardiff. |
| Completed | 1984 |
| Owner | Rightacres |
| Height | 58 metres (190 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 12 |
| Floor area | 155,000 sq ft (14,400 m2) |
Helmont House is a tall building in Cardiff, Wales. It has both offices and a hotel inside. It was finished in 1984 and stands 58 meters (190 feet) high. With 12 floors, it is one of the tallest buildings in Cardiff. In 2009, it was updated to become a 200-room Premier Inn hotel.
Before becoming a hotel, Helmont House was a big office building for British Gas. It is very close to Cardiff Queen Street railway station.
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History of Helmont House
Helmont House has an interesting past. It started as a large office building and later became a hotel.
Early Years as British Gas Offices
When British Gas became a private company in 1986, about 600 people worked at the Cardiff office. By 1998, this office became the main sales center for all of Britain. Before British Gas moved out, around 2,400 people worked at Helmont House. Most of these workers were part of the call center team.
Becoming a Hotel and Offices
In 2009, British Gas moved its main office in Wales to a new building nearby. A company called Rightacres then bought Helmont House. They decided to change it into a hotel.
The building was renovated in 2009. It became a 200-room Premier Inn hotel. This hotel was the biggest in Cardiff at the time, based on how many beds it had. Premier Inn chose this spot because it was right in the center of Cardiff.
Even after the hotel opened, part of Helmont House still has offices. About 60,000 square feet of space is used for offices. A law firm called NewLaw Solicitors rents a large part of this office space.
Helmont House on TV
Helmont House has even been on television! It appeared in episodes of the popular TV shows Doctor Who ("Partners in Crime") and Torchwood in 2007. Both of these shows are filmed and made in Cardiff.
Building Design
The design of Helmont House is quite unique. Its sharp, angled look was inspired by a style of art called Cubism. Famous artists like Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque were known for their Cubist artwork.
Where to Find Helmont House
Helmont House is in a great spot in Cardiff. It is very close to the main shopping areas, including Queen Street and St David's. Cardiff Queen Street railway station is just a short walk away. The building is also one of the closest hotels to the Cardiff International Arena, a popular place for concerts and events.
