The group has purchased the landmark Howells Building with the intention of carrying out a sensitive repositioning of the building as a mixed-use destination.
The Howells Building, which spans an area of 275,000sq m, is a Grade II-listed building on a 1.7 acre site, fronting St Mary Street, Wharton Street and Trinity Street in Cardiff’s prime shopping district. Situated close to St David’s Centre, Queen’s Arcade and The Hayes, it comprises an array of building forms, including the original 1800s’ stone façade.
The building is currently primarily occupied by House of Fraser, spanning an area of 227,000sq ft with the Borough Arms pub occupying 2,500sq ft over basement and ground floor fronting St Mary Street. Thackeray Group has now received planning consent to change the building from retail to mixed-use.
Antony Alberti CEO of Thackeray Group, said: “This is an extremely exciting acquisition for Thackeray in a city that we love and further anchors our presence in Cardiff, which we are looking to continue to invest in. It is arguably the best collection of buildings in the city and we look forward to delivering a landmark scheme for this capital city.”
