Cardiff redevelopment of Howells site with 11-storey tower

A red-brick 11-storey tower block could form part of plans to redevelop Cardiff’s historic Howells department store site, designs show for it show.

The latest phase of the multi-million pound scheme includes departments, offices, bars and restaurants, alongside the restoration of the 20-year-old Bethany Chapel.

Cardiff Civic Society has objected to the tower, calling it “damaging and insensitive” and warning it would “dwarf” nearby listed buildings.

Developer TE Cardiff 7 Ltd said the plans retain key historic features and will “reassert the heritage and character” of the area.

Howells dates back to the 1860s and was one of Cardiff’s best known department stores until it closed in 2023.

Developer TE Cardiff 7 Ltd said it had worked closely with Cardiff council and Cadw to protect key listed elements, including the St Mary’s Street frontage, and the Percy Thomas corner building and the old Chapel and Sunday school.

It said the design aims to “retain the most significant built forms in their entirety” while introducing new homes and public spaces.

Plans show 105 apartments in the new tower, 89 more within the retain Trinity Street buildings, and more than 4,000 square metres of commercial space and a 114-room hotel.

The building, which sits at the centre of the site on St Mary Street, part of a wider project to transform the landmark store into homes, offices, bars and restaurants.

Earlier stages of the scheme, including restoration of the 200-year-old Bethany Chapel, have already been approved, but the final phases still need planning permission.

Cardiff Civic Society said the proposed tower would “dwarf the adjacent listed buildings” and risk damaging the city’s historic character.

In its objection, the group described the plans as “a damaging, inappropriate, an insensitive proposal,” that would harm views from Cardiff Castle, St Mary Street and St John’s church.