Howells, Grade II listed department store in Cardiff city centre, Wales
The Victorian building extends along St Mary Street with a decorative facade featuring neoclassical elements and detailed architectural ornamentation from 1875.
James Howell established the store in 1865 as a drapery shop, which expanded through multiple acquisitions until becoming part of House of Fraser in 1972.
The building incorporated the former Bethany Chapel into its structure during the 1920s extension, preserving elements of local religious architecture within commercial space.
The department store operated across 150,000 square feet of retail space until March 2023, when it closed permanently for conversion into mixed-use development.
During World War II, a section of the department store transformed into a parachute manufacturing facility to support military operations.
Location: Cardiff
Location: Castle
Architects: Percy Thomas
Architectural style: Victorian architecture, Beaux-Arts
Elevation above the sea: 11 m
Website: http://houseoffraser.co.uk
GPS coordinates: 51.48000,-3.17800
Latest update: May 11, 2025 07:57
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