Crown Buildings

The Crown Buildings stand in Cathays Park, Cardiff, as the main offices of the Welsh Government. The complex consists of two linked buildings: Cathays Park 1, a three-storey neoclassical structure built in the 1930s, and Cathays Park 2, a larger five-storey office block completed in the 1970s. Designed by R. J. Allison and later by Alex Gordon & Partners, the buildings reflect different architectural styles. Cathays Park 1 was once home to the Welsh Board of Health before becoming part of the government estate. In 1968, a bomb damaged the older building during a period of unrest. The buildings have historical significance beyond their official use. Cathays Park 1 suffered bomb damage in 1968, part of a series of attacks in the area. The sky bridge connecting the two buildings has become a subject of local folklore, with staff reporting strange sensations and fleeting glimpses. Historians like John Davies have described the complex differently—one calling it splendid, another noting its imposing bureaucratic presence. The site also holds a car park and a staff cafe within its atrium. Visitors to the Crown Buildings find a mix of grand architecture and modern office spaces. The older building retains its neoclassical features, while the newer one includes a central atrium and underground parking. The sky bridge, though functional, adds an unusual element to the complex. The surrounding Cathays Park area itself is a civic space with other notable buildings nearby. The Crown Buildings remain a working government site, yet their design and history make them an interesting point of interest in Cardiff.