The building was designed byIsambard Kingdom Brunel andwas the home to the first steam powered passenger train service in Wales which opened in October 1840 and subsequently became the head office of the Taff Vale Railway until 1862.

For some time, the building has laid empty and boarded up and became an eyesore in Cardiff Bay, but has now been transformed thanks to a £1m loan which has been funded by Cardiff Council, in partnership with the Welsh Government's Town Centre Loan Scheme.

The building has been transformed into 23 office units - which can be leased on a short term basis - with further plans for a cafe and cocktail bar which will be opened in July.

The restoration project has been carried out by the award winning developer of Tramshed in Grangetown, Loftco.

Cllr Russell Goodway, Cabinet Member for Investment and Development at Cardiff Council said: "I am delighted that the Council has been able to play a key role in the restoration and regeneration of a landmark Grade II-listed building in Butetown. The building will have a new lease of life providing high quality business start-up space to compliment an already vibrant business offer within Cardiff Bay."

Simon Baston, Managing Director of Loftco said: "In collaboration with Cardiff Council and Welsh Government , Loftco is proud to have converted one of Cardiff's most important and striking buildings providing essential life style space for Cardiff's up and coming businesses. 

"With its listed status loftco has successfully carried out a sympathetic approach to a landmark building that was in a serious state of disrepair. The modern units have been successfully leased and we look forward to the opening of the café which will offer a wide range of street food for the public to enjoy.

Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government at the Welsh Government, Hannah Blythyn AM, said: "It is great to see how the Town Centre Loan Scheme has been used to help revitalise this historic building. Importantly, this funding is recycled back into the local community and when the loan is repaid it can be used to bring more empty, underused sites and premises in town centres back into use."

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