The Glamorgan Building, Cardiff

The Glamorgan Building, situated at King Edward VII Avenue in Cathays Park, Cardiff, Wales, is a prominent architectural and historical site. Originally serving as the county hall, it was the administrative headquarters of Glamorgan County Council from 1912 until 1974, and subsequently for Mid Glamorgan County Council until 1996. Following the dissolution of Mid Glamorgan County Council in 1996, Cardiff University acquired the building in 1997. It now houses the university's School of Social Sciences and the School of Geography and Planning.

Constructed between 1909 and 1912, the building was designed by architects Vincent Harris and Thomas Anderson Moodie in the Beaux-Arts classical style, characterized by its symmetrical facade and grand portico supported by Corinthian columns. The council chamber, located within, served as the principal room.

The need for a new county hall arose after the Local Government Act 1888 required a formal meeting place for the newly established county councils. Initially, the Glamorgan County Council operated from various offices in Cardiff, but the inadequacy of these facilities led to the purchase of land from the Marquess of Bute in 1898 at Cathays Park.

Enhancements to the building included a significant extension to the southwest in 1932, designed by Ivor Jones and Percy Thomas, to accommodate the growing needs following the Local Government Act 1929. This extension opened on September 22, 1932.

Statues by Albert Hodge, representing navigation and coal mining—industries crucial to Glamorgan's economy—were unveiled outside the building, symbolizing the region's sources of wealth.

The building is also a Grade I listed structure, underscoring its architectural and historical importance. It has continued to evolve, adapting to new roles well into the 21st century, including hosting the Glamorgan Record Office until its relocation in 2009.

Today, the Glamorgan Building remains a key part of Cardiff University and a landmark of Cardiff's civic landscape, reflecting over a century of history in its classical walls.