Planning has been approved to convert the former RBS Bank at 1-4 High Street into hotel accommodation, which will extend the already approved scheme next door at 5-6 High Street, the former Cranes Music.
With 23 bedrooms already approved by council planners, this will add a further 13 bedrooms to the large-scale upper floor development which will overlook Cardiff Castle.
A spokesperson for the company behind the hotel development said:
“This is an incredibly exciting scheme for an area of Cardiff City centre which has become a hub for premium brands over the past few years. Having achieved planning for the upper floors of 5-6 High Street last year, and the ever-increasing popularity of Cardiff High Street; when the RBS bank became available, we seized the opportunity.
The company behind the scheme is also linked to the award-winning Welsh House group of restaurants which has flourished in an area highly populated by city revellers. Carys Cobley Brand Director for The Welsh House said:
“Cardiff Castle was the most visited paid attraction in Wales in 2021 with almost 400,000 visitors. The Welsh House is the perfect destination for tourists looking to dine or stay close to the landmark, as well as the Principality Stadium only a stone’s throw away. The Welsh house brand is locally loved and is growing very popular with Welsh speakers. The locations are quickly becoming the home of the community. We would expect our guests to visit the many fantastic offers within Cardiff market, the charismatic arcades, not forgetting other quality bars and restaurants in the vicinity also, so we are glad to be supporting our neighbours further with this development and driving more tourism to the area.”
Welsh Construction company Calon Construction Ltd has been awarded principal contractor for both schemes overseeing the complete development of 1-6 High Street. A spokesman for Calon said “we are pleased to be delivering yet another high-level scheme in Wales and look forward to handing over this key property in a sought after area later this year”
Lucy King, asset manager of the Castle Quarter Estate added:
“We’ve been pleased to see the success of The Welsh House and welcome this latest addition to High Street’s high quality independent hospitality offer, which complements our own ongoing investment in the development of the Castle Quarter Estate. The Hotel is an innovative re-purposing of the former offices and bank, which will add much needed high-end hotel accommodation in this prime visitor location. We wish The Welsh House and the High Street Hotel scheme every success with this exciting new venture.”
