The tree-lined avenue of Cathedral Road that connects the suburbs of Llandaff and Pontcanna to the city centre has developed over the decades into one of the most prestigious roads in Cardiff.
Flanked by some of the grandest Victorian villas in the capital, the well-known street can boast some well-known landmarks as neighbours too.
Within a few minutes, if not shorter, Pontcanna Fields, Bute Park, the River Taff, the Swalec Stadium, and Cardiff Castle are waiting to greet you on one side of the street and a jigsaw of pretty period properties reside on the other side.
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Mixed into this combination of prime locations is the thriving community that makes the suburb of Pontcanna one of the most popular and expensive suburbs to live, with a patchwork of independent cafes, restaurants, shops and pubs that result in the words 'vibrant' and 'unique' being used frequently to describe the area.
The street can also claim to be visually and historically distinctive. According to the book 'Canton' by Bryan Jones, Cathedral Road was once known as Pontcanna Lane, running between Plasturton Farm in the south and Pontcanna Farm to the north.
The book suggests that between 1885 and 1900 many large villas were constructed, occupied by the very wealthiest families of Cardiff. These huge, usually four-storey period properties still command attention and although some of them have been converted into apartments or offices, the houses that remain whole are some of the most sought after real estate in the capital.
Especially towards the city centre end, the street has in more recent times been experiencing some significant property redevelopments.
There are a number of sites seeing demolition and conversions to create complexes of contemporary apartments within period buildings, as well as within new build blocks that optimise the dwellings available on each site.
One of these new spots to call home is The Hamilton, the transformation of one of the oldest and grandest villas on Cathedral Road into stylish and contemporary apartments, whilst keeping the character of the Grade II listed property via its very special facade.
The development is a construction of two halves, located on this site at the city centre end of the street on the corner of Cathedral Road and Hamilton Street.
The Grade II listed villa that was the offices of Parsons Brinckerhoff surveyors, is being renovated and converted into 11 unique flats of one and two beds, combining easy, high-specification living. Each apartment offers unique features including mezzanines, sash windows and period features throughout.
The developers state that during the the past, at the time of building the main villa being designed, architects usually avoided symmetry when designing. As a reflection of that past, they wanted their buildings to look as if they’d developed over time too, to honour the past, and so no home in this development is exactly the same – each has its own story.
At the rear of the site, along Hamilton Street, under construction are three spacious new villas set over three or four storeys, all with open-plan spaces and two with a roof terrace, and all designed to give a new owner a slice of contemporary opulence in the city.
But back to the beautiful, original Victorian villa and a peek inside one of the apartments for sale reveals the clever design used to create unique spaces.
If you want a standard flat with square rooms and a plain, blank canvas, this is not it - this particular apartment is delightfully quirky in its conversion and design, and it is so much the better for it. The home has oodles of personality and is a one-off property with wonderful visual surprises, and a charm that will disarm.
Add to the creative design the luxury, designer interiors, and the appeal of this duplex abode on the second floor blasts another myth that some people think all attic flats are pokey and difficult to convert into something special - because this home is something extremely special.
From the entrance hall, wander into the living room and it's a luxurious and opulent reception room that greets you. It's hard to tear yourself away from the beautiful interior design that showcases the space, but if you can, you should look up and you will be rewarded.
The surprise vaulted ceiling creates a double height space that fills the room with light and is the perfect spot to place a breath-taking, statement light.
But that's not the only surprise up here, as there's also a peek at the mezzanine level that looks almost built into the ceiling at one end.
The mezzanine has an integral glass panel which is a clever choice as the glimpse of the dining area above intrigues and entices you to immediately go and investigate the space above, that is hinted at from below.
But there's plenty still to see on the lower floor of this duplex dream home first.
On the other side of the hallway to the living room is a cloakroom and the second double bedroom with an ensuite.
The luxurious interior design continues into these spaces, making it feel like you have just arrived at a posh, boutique hotel in the city.
Up the stairs to the much anticipated mezzanine level and again kudos to the architects here. This space could have become a dark and unused landing and corridor to the kitchen, but it has been reimagined into one of the best spots in the home.
The space has become a mezzanine with a section of wall removed and replaced with glass with an open aspect above and a view of the living room below. You can even check out the street scene while you enjoy your morning tea and toast through the now revealed living room windows; genius.
Into the adjacent kitchen and more creative design ensues. Firstly, there's the use of a classic space saving device of a sliding, pocket door that means the flow from the dining area to the kitchen is seamless once the door disappears into the wall.
This flow is further aided by the continual use of the stunning engineered oak herringbone flooring that pays homage to the building's period past. It is an elegant and welcome addition to the home's features and found throughout the living areas.
There's an extra feature in the kitchen though, that is tucked into the corner and so might not immediately be noticed, but its inclusion is more evidence of thoughtful design; it's an internal window.
This internal window replacing a boring and solid wall means light and view sharing can occur across three rooms and is a very creative addition to aid flow throughout these separate spaces; more genius.
Imagine sitting in that inviting, velvet armchair in the corner of the kitchen not only keeping the cook company, but also being able to peek down the stairs through that inventive wall window and see who is coming up them.
You'll also be able to spot who is not eating their vegetables at the dinner table or who is pouring themselves another sneaky glass of wine. It's one of the best spots in the home for being nosey.
The kitchen can boast a unique ceiling that incorporates the shape of the roof structure, as well as classic Shaker style units with brass handles, quartz worktop and Siemens' appliances that include a microwave, oven and hob with extractor hood above, dishwasher and fridge freezer and a roof window opposite the 'nosey' chair.
Into the master bedroom and somehow this section of the home has easily enough space for a bedroom and a separate walk-through wardrobe area that leads into an ensuite that is bigger than many people's main bathrooms.
It's another character space with luxury at its core, with a statement bath under the window offering you a wonderfully relaxing place to look up at the raised ceiling and contemplate what it is like to live in such a unique and beautiful city property.
Mr Hooper-Nash from Jeffrey Ross, who are joint agents selling the units with MGY, Pontcanna, says: "The Hamilton is quite unique. Thanks to good design, the layouts aren't as standard as the typical terraced houses you see converted in the road.
"It is also one of the few refurbishments that are listed due to the beauty of the building, so it really stands out from the other buildings recently converted to residential homes."
Prices at The Hamilton start from £220,000 for the apartments and £575,000 for the houses, plus the help-to-buy scheme is currently available on selected units. A number of the apartments have already sold, and of the three modern villas currently one is sold and one is under offer.
This particular duplex penthouse is on the market for £475,000, call MGY Pontcanna on 029 2039 7152 or Jeffrey Ross Pontcanna on 029 2049 9680 to find out more, and if you never want to miss the best dream homes in Wales, renovation stories and interiors, join the Amazing Welsh Homes newsletter, sent out to your inbox twice a week.
