Loft Co, the visionary property developers behind some of Wales’s most celebrated regeneration projects—including Goodsheds in Barry, Newport Market, Swansea’s Albert Hall, and Cardiff’s Tramshed—have announced their next major development: Cardiff’s first food hall at the historic Castle Quarter Arcade.

 

Mansford is a private multi-strategy investment firm that has owned Castle Quarter since 2015 and is delighted to have worked alongside Loft Co to bring these ambitious plans to fruition. This transformative project will celebrate Cardiff’s rich history while introducing HYS, a cutting-edge food hall concept that will set a new standard for leisure experiences in the capital. Loft Co will bring its expertise in restoring and revitalising heritage spaces to Castle Quarter, enhancing one of Cardiff’s most iconic locations.

 

HYS – Cardiff’s Food Hall Vision

 

Inspired by Cardiff’s iconic High Street, HYS represents a bold new era for the Castle Quarter. Set to become Loft Co’s largest food hall project to date, HYS will feature:

  • 600 covers across two floors, with spacious seating areas
  • 12 independent street food traders, showcasing a diverse range of cuisines
  • Concept restaurants, combining bespoke dining areas with menus tailored to the food hall
  • Event Spaces, for private dining, celebrations, workshops, pop-ups, and meetings, in stunning unique spaces
  • Wedding Venue, an alternative wedding celebration and private event space in the centre of Cardiff

 

Preserving Cardiff’s Heritage

 

The Castle Quarter Arcades—High Street Arcade, Duke Street Arcade, and Castle Arcade—have been a celebrated part of Cardiff’s architectural and retail heritage since 1885. Loft Co is committed to preserving the charm of the Grade II-listed Castle Quarter arcade while creating a vibrant new hub for the city.

 

Simon Baston, Managing Director of Loft Co, commented:

“We are incredibly proud to bring Cardiff’s largest food hall and to do so in such an iconic location. Cardiff is one of the UK’s fastest-growing core cities, and as our own capital city, this project is particularly close to us. This project is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best of Cardiff’s heritage while creating something completely new and exciting for the city. We’ve seen how food halls have revitalised towns and cities across Wales, and we can’t wait to see the positive impact this development will have in Cardiff. This will be a landmark project for Loft Co and we hope, a huge asset for the people of Cardiff.”

Cardiff’s Thriving Market

 

The Castle Quarter Food Hall will capitalise on Cardiff’s thriving urban economy and vibrant social scene:

  • City population: 1.5 million, with a city centre working population of 230,000
  • Student community: Over 70,000 across three universities
  • Tourism impact: £1.2 billion annual spend, including nearly 1 million visitors to the Principality Stadium each year
  • Accessibility: Over 3,000 parking spaces within a 10-minute walk

 

Adding Value to Cardiff’s Iconic Castle Quarter

 

The Castle Quarter Food Hall will join the vibrant mix of businesses that already call this area home, from independent shops to celebrated restaurants like Pasture, Barker Tea House and Corner Coffee. The addition of HYS will further cement Castle Quarter’s reputation as a destination for locals and visitors alike.

 

A Collaborative Effort

 

Loft Co is proud to work alongside key stakeholders who share a passion for preserving Cardiff’s heritage while creating vibrant, modern spaces for the city to enjoy.

 

Mansford, the owners of Castle Quarter, have been instrumental in driving the project forward. Their commitment to innovation and their deep understanding of Cardiff’s property landscape have been critical to ensuring this development reflects the city’s potential.

 

Charles H Knight, Partner of Mansford commented:

“Since acquiring the iconic and stunning Castle Quarter arcades, we have had a very clear vision as to how to improve the leisure and retail experience for not only the local population but also the significant tourist business attracted to Cardiff. We are extremely excited to welcome Loft Co and their food hall operation to the Castle Quarter and are impressed that they share the same vision for the arcades. The letting to Loft Co comes off the back of significant recent leasing activity at Castle Quarter with leisure occupiers including Gin and Juice, Barkers Tea, Pasture, Parallel, Maison De Boeuf, The Welsh House and Temple Bar all trading successfully and strengthening this location as the prime food and beverage location in Cardiff’’

 

Holmes Property Partners as asset managers and Tandem Property Management, the dedicated team overseeing Castle Quarter operations, will continue to play an essential role in ensuring the smooth transition and asset management of the site. Their expertise in managing heritage properties and supporting independent businesses will be invaluable as the project progresses.

 

Mark Holmes Director of Holmes Property Partners commented:

“As one of the most significant recent transactions in Cardiff, huge credit must go to both Loft Co and Mansford for navigating through an extremely complex legal process which will deliver the largest food hall operation in Cardiff. The cutting-edge food hall concept will be a significant footfall driver for High St and Duke st Arcade, and we are looking forward to attracting further entrepreneurial businesses to the Castle Quarter”

 

EJ Hales as the appointed leasing agent, has been integral in coordinating the acquisition process and identifying opportunities for growth within Castle Quarter.

 

Phil Morris Director at EJ Hales commented:

“After four years in the making, this project is one of the most exciting developments I’ve had the privilege to work on in the heart of the city. Its prime central location will ensure its future success but also brought unique challenges for its delivery. Partnering with Loft Co, a market leader in this sector, has been instrumental in overcoming these hurdles. We’re thrilled to have completed the deal, and I’m eagerly counting down the days until the food hall opens its doors.”

 

This joint effort highlights the shared commitment of all parties to transform Castle Quarter into a vibrant, thriving destination for both Cardiff residents and visitors.

 

Completion and Opportunities

 

HYS Food Hall is expected to open in late 2025, providing Cardiff with a landmark destination in its historic heart. For those interested in joining this exciting venture, please contact Loft Co directly at alexbaston@loft-co.com for more information.