List of tallest buildings in Cardiff facts for kids
Cardiff is the capital city of Wales. It has many tall buildings that make up its skyline. This article lists the tallest buildings in Cardiff that are at least 40 meters (about 131 feet) high. You'll find everything from beautiful old buildings like Cardiff Castle to modern skyscrapers.
Cardiff is growing, and so is its skyline! Like many cities in the UK, some of Cardiff's tall buildings were built in the 1960s and 1970s. These were often apartment blocks or offices. Today, new tall buildings are usually fancy apartments or modern office spaces.
Cardiff is the biggest city in Wales and has the most tall buildings in the country. The tallest building in Cardiff is Bridge Street Exchange. It stands 85 meters (279 feet) tall. It was finished in 2018. Before that, Capital Tower was the tallest for a long time, since 1970. It is 80 meters (262 feet) high.
Cardiff Council, which is like the city's government, has rules for tall buildings. They consider a building tall if it's 8 floors or more, or at least 25 meters (82 feet) high. They prefer new tall buildings to be built near other tall buildings. This creates a "cluster" or group of tall buildings that look good together.
Contents
Tallest Habitable Buildings
These are buildings where people live or work, either all the time or for a short visit.
Rank | Name | Height (m) | Height (ft) | Floors | Year Built | What it's Used For | Image | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bridge Street Exchange | 85 | 279 | 26 | 2018 | Homes and shops | ![]() |
Student apartments |
2 | Interchange Tower, 4 Central Square | 83.5 | 274 | 22 | 2023 | Homes | ![]() |
Part of the new bus station area |
3 | Capital Tower | 80 | 262 | 25 | 1967 | Offices and shops | ![]() |
Tallest building from 1967 to 2018 |
4 | Stadium House | 78 (without spire) | 256 (without spire) | 17 | 1976 (Updated 2002) | Offices | ![]() |
Has a large spire on top |
5 | Zenith | 75 | 246 | 26 | 2019 | Homes | ![]() |
Student apartments |
6 | The Copper Works (Y Gwaith Copr), Capital Quarter | 75 | 246 | 23 | 2023 | Homes | ![]() |
|
7 | Altolusso | 72 | 236 | 23 | 2005 | Homes | ![]() |
|
8 | Tŷ Pont Haearn | 63 | 207 | 21 | 2005 | Homes | ![]() |
Student apartments |
Meridian Gate | 63 | 207 | 21 | 2009 | Hotel | |||
10 | Tŷ Admiral | 61 | 203 | 14 | 2015 | Offices and shops | Designed by Glenn Howells Architects | |
Premier Inn (Stadium) Hotel | 61 | 200 | 18 | 2023 | Hotel and restaurants | ![]() |
||
12 | Holland House | 60.3 | 198 | 15 | 1968 (Updated 2004) | Hotel | Used to be an office building | |
13 | William Morgan House | 58 (about) | 190 | 12 | 2020 | Offices | ![]() |
Named after William Morgan, a famous Bible translator |
Helmont House | 58 | 190 | 12 | 1984 | Offices and Hotel | ![]() |
||
Brunel House | 58 | 190 | 16 | 1974 | Offices and shops | ![]() |
Was once the main office for British Rail in the area | |
16 | Horizon, Pendeen House | 56 | 184 | 19 | 2014 | Homes | ![]() |
|
17 | Vita Student Cardiff, 11 Park Place | 55.2 | 181 | 18 | 2022 | Student apartments | ![]() |
|
18 | Admiral House | 55 | 180 | 16 | 2006 (Updated) | Homes | Not to be confused with Tŷ Admiral | |
19 | Landmark Place | 51 | 167 | 17 | 2004 | Homes and shops | ![]() |
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20 | Cardiff University Tower Building | 50 | 164 | 12 | – | University | ||
21 | Verse, 47-53 Charles Street | 50.5 | 165 | 16 | 2023 | Homes | ![]() |
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22 | Vega House, Celestia | 48 | 158 | 2007 | Homes | ![]() |
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Southgate House | 48 | 157 | 13 | 1978 | Offices and shops | ![]() |
Has two parts, one 13 floors, one 11 floors | |
24 | Loudoun House | 47 | 154 | 16 | 1964 | Homes | ![]() |
Located in Butetown, a part of south Cardiff |
Nelson House | 47 | 154 | 16 | 1964 | Homes | ![]() |
Also in Butetown | |
26 | ISIS 3D | 46 | 151 | 15 | 2007 | Homes | ![]() |
|
McKenzie House | 46 | 151 | 12 | – | University | ![]() |
Used to be called NPI House | |
Eastgate House | 46 | 151 | 14 | 1969 | Offices | ![]() |
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29 | The Aspect | 45 | 148 | 15 | 1960s (Updated 2003) | Homes and shops | Used to be an office building | |
Century Wharf: Strata | 45 | 148 | 15 | 2009 | Homes | ![]() |
||
The Neighbourhood | 45 | 148 | 11 | – | Homes and shops | Was once a college campus | ||
32 | Marriott Hotel | 43 | 141 | 12 | 1986 | Hotel and restaurant | ||
33 | Channel View Flats | 42 | 138 | 14 | 1965 | Homes | Located in Grangetown, a part of south Cardiff | |
34 | 2 Central Square | 41 (about) | 135 | 10 | 2018 | Offices |
Tallest Uninhabitable Buildings
These are tall structures where people don't usually live or work. Their height often comes from things like spires, masts, or clock towers.
Rank | Name | Height (m) | Height (ft) | Year Built | What it's Used For | Image | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Stadium House | 125 (with spire) | 410 (with spire) | 1976 (Updated 2002) | Offices | ![]() |
The spire was added in 2002. It is the highest point in Cardiff. |
2 | Principality Stadium | 90 (masts) | 295 (masts) | 1999 | Sports Stadium | ![]() |
Famous for rugby and concerts |
3 | Llandaff Cathedral | 59.40 | 195 | 1290 | Cathedral | ![]() |
Located in Llandaff, a suburb of north Cardiff |
4 | Cardiff City Hall Clock Tower | 59 | 194 | 1905 | City Government Building | ![]() |
|
5 | St Andrews United Reformed Church | 46 | 150 | 1900 | Church | ![]() |
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6 | Cardiff Castle Clock Tower | 40 | 131 | 1873 | Historic Castle | ![]() |
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St John the Baptist Church | 40 | 131 | around 1490 | Church | ![]() |
Buildings Under Construction or Planned
This list shows buildings that are currently being built, or have been approved to be built in the future (as of April 2024).
Rank | Name | Height (m) | Height (ft) | Floors | Approved (Year) | Being Built Now | Image | What it will be Used For |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Custom House Street Tower | 132 | 433 | 42 | 2016 | No (building stopped after early work) | - | Student apartments and shops |
2 | 5 Central Square | 113 | 370 | 35 | 2023 | No | - | Homes |
3 | Harlech Court, Bute Terrace | 35 | Proposed | No | ![]() |
Homes | ||
4 | John Street Tower (John Street - North) | 99 | 2018 | No | - | Mixed use (homes, shops, offices) | ||
5 | Hallinans House | 99 | 32 | 2017 | No | ![]() |
Mixed use | |
6 | Apartment tower, 1-6 Guildford Crescent | 96 | 30 | 2021 | Yes | ![]() |
Homes | |
7 | Plot 1, Central Quay | 90.5 | 296 | 29 | 2022 | Yes | ![]() |
Mixed use |
8 | Friary House | Up to 28 | 2024 | No | ![]() |
Mixed use | ||
9 | Gramercy Tower, 6 Curran Road | 84 | 275 | 27 | 2020 | Yes | ![]() |
Homes |
10 | The Embankment | 25 | 2023 | No | ![]() |
Homes | ||
11 | Plot 2, Central Quay | 76 | 249 | 24 | 2022 | Yes | ![]() |
Mixed use |
12 | Plot 5, Pierhead Street | 18 | 2023 | Yes | ![]() |
Student apartments | ||
13 | Anchor Works, Dumballs Road | 52 | 170 | 15 | Yes | ![]() |
Homes |
Tallest Demolished Buildings
This list shows buildings that were once among Cardiff's tallest (over 40 meters) but have now been taken down.
Name | Height (m) | Height (ft) | Floors | Completed | Image | Demolished | During Demolition | What it was Used For |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Phase 2, Government Buildings, Tŷ Glas | 73 | 239 | 18 | 1969 |
|
2024 |
|
Offices for the tax department (HMRC) |
Gleider House, Phase 1 Government Buildings, Tŷ Glas | 44.50 | 146 | 11 | 1968 |
|
2024 |
|
Offices for HMRC and a cancer charity |
Cancelled Developments
These are buildings that were planned and approved to be built, but the projects were later stopped.
Rank | Name | Height (m) | Height (ft) | Floors | When it was Proposed | What it would have been Used For |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bay Pointe | 122.8 | 403 | 33 | 2008 | Homes |
2 | Glass Needle Scheme, also known as Heritage Gateway Scheme | 107 | 352 | 32 | 2005 | Homes |
3 | Capitol Apartments | 75 | 246 | 25 | 2008 | Homes |
See also
- Cardiff city centre
- Architecture of Cardiff