Morgan Arcade

Morgan Arcade is a covered shopping passage connecting St Mary Street and The Hayes, spanning two floors of retail spaces with preserved Venetian windows and original wooden storefronts. The structure creates a protected shopping environment where shops line both levels continuously.

The passage opened in 1899 as the New Central Arcade, built to connect two separate department stores owned by David Morgan on opposite sides of the city. This project solved a key problem in Cardiff's retail layout by linking previously disconnected shopping spaces.

The interior displays classical Victorian architectural elements with decorative details that reflect late 19th-century Welsh commercial design preferences. These ornamental features once marked the arcade as a place where shopping was considered a refined social activity.

The central location provides direct access to neighboring shopping areas, with entrances connecting to main pedestrian streets in Cardiff's retail district. The covered structure protects visitors from weather while allowing easy movement between the two levels.

A comprehensive restoration in 2008 preserved historical features while modernizing facilities for contemporary retail use. This renovation allowed the building to maintain its 19th-century character while meeting modern operational standards.