They are among the grandest buildings in Cardiff Bay, but today they’re abandoned and adorned with “for let” signs having been left to run down for decades. Their story traces back to the height of the city’s coal trade, when they played a central role in Cardiff’s industrial heritage.
Cory’s Building, a striking stone front property on Bute Street, was originally constructed in 1889. It was named after John Cory, one of the most influential coal exporters and shipowners of the late 19th century, whose company helped make Cardiff the world’s leading coal-exporting port during the industrial boom.
The building’s grand design reflected the wealth and global importance of Cardiff’s coal industry at the time. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here
For many years, it stood as a symbol of the bay’s trade and the city’s prominence in maritime commerce.
It’s a striking building with a rich history -Credit:Richard Swingler
However, in more recent times, the building had fallen into decline, with much of it lying empty and abandoned. Its once-busy offices became a reminder of Cardiff’s industrial past rather than a place of activity.
Right next door is another great representation of Cardiff Bay’s Victorian architecture. Merchant Place was originally housing offices for merchants, shipowners, and coal exporters who did business in what was then one of the busiest ports in the world, the row of buildings was constructed during the height of the city’s coal and shipping boom.
The five-storey, Grade II-listed buildings were designed by the architects Bruton and Williams.
Cory’s was built for the influential firm Cory Brothers & Co, whose extensive business interests spanned over chandlery, brokerage, colliery and wagon ownership, and coal exporting.
John Cory was an influential coal exporter -Credit:Richard Swingler
With more coal exported than any other port worldwide in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, back then Cardiff was at the centre of the world’s coal trade.
In addition to providing fuel for ships and businesses worldwide, the industry turned Cardiff from a small town into a significant UK city..
Recognising their historical value, Cardiff Council bought both properties in January 2021 to safeguard the city’s architectural heritage and placed them on the market the following month.
Merchants Place standing empty -Credit:Richard Swingler
At the time, Cabinet Member for Investment and Development, Cllr Russell Goodway, said: “We’ve seen both of these important buildings lying empty for far too long now.
“They stand at the gateway to the inner harbour area opposite one of Wales’ most iconic buildings, the Wales Millennium Centre.
“The buildings sit on the crossroads between the Inner Harbour and the Atlantic Wharf area, which will become the focus of our attention as we seek to bring forward the next phase of regeneration of Cardiff Bay.
“We have an ambition to establish Cardiff Bay as a premier UK visitor destination, to attract more visitors to Cardiff, and to provide jobs and opportunities for local people.”
The abandoned building is in the shadow of the Welsh Millennium Centre -Credit:Richard Swingler
More than a century after they were first built, the buildings are soon set to take on a brand-new purpose.
Renovation plans have been approved to transform both Cory’s Building and Merchant Place into a new campus for Cardiff Sixth Form College, one of the UK’s leading independent schools. Read here how the school had the best A level results in the UK.
The redevelopment is expected to bring life to the site, preserving its heritage while adapting it for modern use.
Cardiff Sixth Form College’s Cardiff Bay campus is expected to be ready by autumn 2026.
The college, which attracts students from across the world, intends to restore the historic character of the building while creating “state-of-the-art” facilities for teaching and students.
Once complete, the building will once again be a hub of energy, but this time for education rather than trading.
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