Portland House, Cardiff
Portland House, Bute Street is a former bank building in Butetown, Cardiff, Wales. Completed in 1927, the building was designed for the National Provincial Bank by their in-house architectural team, F. C. R. Palmer and W. F. C. Holden. Cadw considers it "amongst the finest of its style in Wales". Portland House is a Grade II* listed building. After a period of near dereliction, it was converted to an events venue in the early 21st century.
History
The area of Butetown was developed from the early 19th century by John Crichton-Stuart, 2nd Marquess of Bute, and by his son, the 3rd marquess. Together they constructed the docks which enabled the export of iron and coal from the South Wales Valleys. While the docks themselves were not especially profitable, the enormous increases in the tonnage of iron, steel and coal exported through them made the Butes immensely wealthy. Portland House was built in 1926-1927 for the National Provincial Bank. It stands on Bute Street to the east of Mount Stuart Square. The architects were F. C. R. Palmer and W. F. C. Holden, who formed the bank's in-house architectural team. The docks traffic was already in decline and Portland House was the last major commercial building to be constructed in Butetown.After a period of near dereliction at the end of the 20th century, Portland House was converted into an events venue in the early 21st.