It was once a gay club with its own spa in a historic building but now it's a mess
There's a city centre street in Cardiff that has seen a lot of changes over the last hundred and fifty years, from being a posh road lined with grand Georgian houses, to the hub of the capital's gay nightlife, to now predominantly commercial use buildings with some of these historic gems also declining into a rundown state.
For number 50, Charles Street, the past has been vibrant and busy but the present is looking worrying with ceilings caving in and damp running riot. However, the future is certainly brighter as the four storey property is going to auction with planning permission to be saved and converted into two storeys of commercial use plus three apartments above.
The distinctive terrace in the centre of the city just off Queen Street and tucked behind Marks & Spencer is a rare find indeed with so few Georgian properties remaining in the capital, so it's not a surprise to find that numbers 44,46, 48, 50 and 52- 56 have all been given a Grade II listing from Cadw for their 'group value'.
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The Cadw listing description states that this terrace of special buildings is 'a group of mid 19th century former houses in Charles Street, once amongst the most fashionable streets in Cardiff centre'.
The history of the street dates back to the Georgian era, originally built as a quality residential street by Charles Vachell who had made his money as an apothecary, an early pharmacist, and was twice the mayor of Cardiff, according to local historian Peter Finch. The native Cardiffian goes on to say on his website that during the Victorian era Charles Street began to slowly change from residential to commercial.
There was a period when the road was an arts, creative and cultural hub in the city including jewellers and tailors and by the mid-1970s the establishments included bookshops, a gallery and the Photogallery exhibition site.
During the more recent decades the street also became known for its gay bars and venues with establishments such as WoW Bar, Exit, Minsky's, and Club X all popular destinations and includes Eagle 50, which called 50, Charles Street its home.
Opening in 1993 formerly as 'The Locker Room', Eagle 50 was a hit with gay men on the LGBT+ scene and was a place for people to come and socialise without being disrespected or feeling unsafe due to their sexuality.
The venue was also part of the community sub culture of gay bathhouses. Records of gay bathhouses date back as far as the 15th century with more modern ones created during the 20th century throughout the world including in London and New York. At the time they were an asset for gay men to meet up in safety within societies that deemed homosexuality illegal.
Eagle 50 had included a sauna and spa as an established part of the city's gay scene for decades, so when the club closed down in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic hitting business it was a shock to the capital's LGBTQ community.
At that time owner Haydn Price told WalesOnline: "Unfortunately, we weren't able to survive the pandemic. We decided we had to jump at the time when we could because our lease was due. If we didn't we'd be liable for another three years on during these uncertain times. We just couldn't afford to take that risk."
The whole building in its rundown state is now going to auction with Seel & Co with a guide price of £325,000 plus. The recently awarded planning allows for the demolition and reconstruction of the rear annex to provide a commercial unit to the ground floor and basement with two entrances of approximately 656 sqft (61sqm) and a further three apartments.
The ground floor rear apartment is a two bedroom home with a small private courtyard and the two apartments above are both three bedroom homes and occupy the whole of each floor.
There is further amenity space and bike parking to the rear, facing Barrack Lane. To view the approved plans go to Cardiff County Council's planning portal with reference Ref 23/02039/LBC.
The bidding for this rare slice of Cardiff's history in architecture, culture and creative industries is online via the Seel & Co website. Bidding will commence from midday on Monday, February 3 and conclude in order from lot one on Tuesday, February 4, from 4pm. Call Seel & Co on 029 2037 0100 to find out more.
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