Once a vibrant gay club with its own spa in a historic building, number 50 Charles Street in Cardiff is now in a state of disrepair. The street has seen a significant transformation over the last century and a half, evolving from posh Georgian homes to a bustling hub of the LGBTQ community. Now, with ceilings caving in and damp taking over, the building is in desperate need of a makeover. However, there is hope on the horizon as the property is set to go to auction with planning permission for a transformation that includes two storeys of commercial space and three apartments above.
The four-storey property, located off Queen Street in the city centre and near Marks & Spencer, is a rare find due to its Georgian architecture, which is becoming increasingly scarce in Cardiff. Numbers 44, 46, 48, 50, and 52-56 on Charles Street have all received a Grade II listing from Cadw for their historical significance and architectural value. The terrace was once a prestigious residential street built by Charles Vachell during the Georgian era and has transitioned over time to serve commercial purposes.
During the Victorian era, Charles Street began to shift from residential to commercial use, becoming a hub for arts, culture, and creativity in Cardiff. In the mid-1970s, the street was home to bookshops, galleries, and exhibition sites, establishing itself as a vibrant cultural center. In more recent decades, Charles Street became synonymous with the city’s LGBTQ community, hosting popular gay bars and venues like WoW Bar, Minsky’s, and Eagle 50.
Eagle 50, formerly known as ‘The Locker Room’ and later an integral part of the gay scene in Cardiff, provided a safe space for the LGBTQ community to socialize and express themselves freely. The venue, which included a sauna and spa, closed its doors in 2021 due to the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, leaving a void in the city’s LGBTQ nightlife. The closure marked the end of an era for the establishment that had been a cultural landmark for decades.
Now, as number 50 Charles Street prepares for auction with a guide price of £325,000, there are plans in place for its revival. The approved planning allows for the reconstruction of the rear annex to create commercial space on the ground floor and basement, along with three apartments on the upper floors. The potential transformation presents an opportunity to restore a piece of Cardiff’s architectural and cultural heritage to its former glory.
Interested buyers can participate in the auction online through Seel & Co’s website, with bidding set to begin on February 3rd. The property’s future as a mixed-use development with commercial units and residential apartments offers a chance for a historic house renovation hero to save this unique piece of Cardiff’s history. For those passionate about preserving heritage and investing in the city’s architectural treasures, number 50 Charles Street represents an exciting opportunity for regeneration and revitalization.