Cadw has announced plans to name Cardiff's St David's Hall as a listed building. A consultation to list the building on The Hayes in the city centre as one of special architectural and historic interest has been launched.
The hall, which opened in 1983, is one of the youngest buildings to be proposed for listing in Wales. It was built between 1978 and 1982 and was one of the first large-scale concert halls to be built outside London since the Second World War. It was a pioneering design for a concert hall at the time, with its polygonal shape and seating arranged in terraces around the stage contributing to its internationally renowned acoustic properties.
The Welsh Government has said that listing status is being considered because the building has a strong presence in Cardiff's cityscape, achieving expressive architectural forms while also being sensitive to its context at the heart of the historic city.
Read more: The fight for St David's Hall: What's being proposed and why are people against it?
The future of the space has been questioned in recent months due to a takeover bid from Academy Music Group (AMG) to take over the running of the hall. AMG, which forms part of Live Nation, proposed to take on the operation of St David's Hall - best known as Cardiff's principle classical music venue - on a long-term lease.
The council said that operating the concert hall costs the authority £1 million per year. Coupled with repair bills reaching into the millions, the council is looking for someone to take on the running of the venue. However, the news of a potential takeover has not gone down well. A petition calling for the protection St David's Hall has received more than 20,000 signatures. In response, the council said the takeover proposal would protect the main classical programme, community events, and includes opportunities for these to be extended.
Whether the building receives listed status is not linked to the takeover bid. The statutory consultation with the owner, occupier and local planning authority about possibly listing St David's Hall has now begun, with the intention to list the building following the 28-day consultation period.
This structure has been afforded Interim Protection under the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended by the Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2016. It is therefore an offence to damage this structure or alter it without listed building consent.
The deputy minister for arts and sport, Dawn Bowden, said: “A listing would recognise the importance of St David's Hall to Wales, acknowledging its special architectural interest as a pioneering concert hall, and its special historic interest as a major building in the post-war redevelopment of Cardiff linked to the city’s status as capital city of Wales.”
Councillor Jennifer Burke, cabinet member for culture, parks and events, said: “We have been in dialogue with Cadw about St David’s Hall for many months, and we welcome the news that Cadw are consulting on the mechanism available to protect the Hall - an historic building that holds a special place in our hearts.
"As one of Cardiff's most iconic cultural landmarks, St David's Hall has been a cornerstone of our city's artistic and musical scene for forty years, and the council is currently undertaking a process that will ensure its longevity, getting to grips with the pressing maintenance backlog – work that is vital to protect the building.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to the Hall's future, and to preserving its world-class acoustics. Cadw’s expertise, working alongside us, will bring further assurance to our plans to help preserve the Hall for future generations to enjoy. If successfully listed, we believe that the building's architectural quality and history will be rightfully recognized. This would be a positive development for the city which complements the council’s ongoing plans for the Hall, helping ensure that St David's Hall remains a beloved cultural mainstay for decades to come."
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