Roath Park House, a historic Victorian property in one of Cardiff's most prominent parks, is now available for lease. The two-storey building, once the official residence of the city's director of parks, has sat empty for several years.
Cardiff Council, as sole trustee of the Roath Park Trust charity, is seeking expressions of interest from individuals, businesses, and organisations to bring the property back into use for community, recreation, leisure, or wellbeing purposes.
History of the Building
Built in 1897, Roath Park House was originally the residence for William Wallace Pettigrew, the parks superintendent who managed the early development of Roath Park. The Pettigrew family helped develop many of Cardiff's parks and green spaces.
Until 1975, the building served as the official residence of the city's director of parks. It was later occupied by other parks department members, but by the 1980s, serious damp issues forced it to cease being used as accommodation.
Previous Plans and Renovation
In 2021, plans were approved to transform the recently refurbished 19th-century home into a café and cooking school. However, the project was scrapped during the Covid-19 pandemic. Before those plans, the Victorian building underwent a £575,000 renovation.
Next Steps
Following approval earlier this year, expressions of interest are being sought with a closing date of August 28. All submissions will be evaluated, followed by a public engagement period. A recommendation on the property's future will be made by a trusts committee of cabinet, with final approval from the Charity Commission.
Roath Park was recently named one of the UK's best green spaces and achieved Green Heritage Site Accreditation for managing, preserving, and promoting its unique historic features.
