Cardiff – 4-6 Queen Street

A small branch with just two elephant heads (tied with Belfast and Swansea for the fewest number of elephants), although Harry Wilson’s original design did not include them. The side entrance at 2 St. John Street was rebuilt in a modernist style in the 1950s. The building is currently being converted to serviced apartments with an additional storey extension (as of 2026).

Street Address4-6 Queen Street
Alternative Address2 St. John Street
PostcodeCF10 2UD
View Map
StatusSurviving
Listed?Unlisted
Rating 4 Some unique features
Condition B Good condition
Feature Count Installed Removed Status Description
Elephant Heads 2 Surviving

Image Gallery

1930 architectural drawing by Harry Wilson for Burton store at 4-6 Queen Street differing from the design that was actually built with elephant heads 1955 architectural drawing for alterations to Burton store at 4-6 Queen Street, Cardiff 1955 architectural drawing for rebuilding of St. John Street side entrance to Burton building at 4-6 Queen Street, Cardiff Former Burton store, Queen Street, Cardiff, 2017 Former Burton store, Queen Street, Cardiff, 2017 Late 1950s 2 St. John Street side entrance to Burton building at 4-6 Queen Street, Cardiff, 2026

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Additional Information

FromYears based on documented evidence such as photographs or Google Streetview; actual dates may differ. To Details Link
20082014Abbey, rebranded as Santander
20162017Empty
20172026Starbucks
2026May 2026: Starbucks closed for conversion of the building into apartments with an additional storey, and a smaller retail unit
Date Organisation Reference Details Details Status
21/07/1930Glamorgan ArchivesBC/S/1/27419Architectural drawings submitted under Harry Wilson for an earlier version of the Art Deco facade without the elephant heads. May 1932 letter states works to commence after Whitsunday.Architectural drawings submitted under Harry Wilson for an earlier version of the Art Deco facade…Withdrawn
05/11/1955Glamorgan ArchivesBC/S/1/46094Alterations to shopfront and rebuilding of narrow side building on St. John Street in modernist style. Drawings missing Queen Street shopfront details, to be submitted later.Alterations to shopfront and rebuilding of narrow side building on St. John Street in modernist…Completed
17/11/2025Cardiff Council25/02673/FULConversion to five serviced apartments with additional storey, and new retail unit at ground levelConversion to five serviced apartments with additional storey, and new retail unit at ground levelApproved