Old Brewery Quarter
The Old Brewery Quarter, also known simply as the Brewery Quarter or the Brewery ¼, is a modern mixed-use development in the centre of Cardiff, Wales, on the site of the original Brains Brewery, with entrances on St. Mary's Street and Caroline Street.
![](../I/The_Old_Brewery_Quarter_-_geograph.org.uk_-_951307.jpg.webp)
Background
Samuel Arther Brain bought the site in 1882, which was already known as the "Old Brewery",[1] the first brewery on the site dating back to 1713.[2] The site included a pub, The Albert.[3]
Redevelopment
![](../I/Brewery_Quarter_apartments_-_2016.JPG.webp)
![](../I/The_Yard_-_Brains_Pub_formerly_known_as_The_Albert_geograph-2758235-by-Eddie-Reed.jpg.webp)
Despite an expansion in the 1980s, the site became too small for the brewery,[4] and in 1999 Brains vacated the Old Brewery to take over the larger Cardiff Brewery.[1] The Old Brewery site was redeveloped, a joint venture between SA Brain & Co and Countryside Properties (though Brains later bought out their partner), with the new area opening in October 2003.[5]
The 85,000 sq ft (7,900 m2) "Old Brewery Quarter" consisted of a Brains pub, the 'Yard Bar and Kitchen' (formerly The Albert) and a mixed development of 55,000 sq ft (5,100 m2) of food outlets around an open-air piazza with 42 long-leasehold loft style apartments and penthouses and office space for small companies. The development has attracted a range of bar and restaurant operators including Starbucks, Nandos, Thai Edge, Pancake House, La Tasca, and Chiquito.
References
- "Site of first Brain's brewery, Cardiff". History Points. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
- Lesley Richmond; Alison Turton (1990). The Brewing Industry: A Guide to Historical Records. Manchester University Press. pp. 77–. ISBN 978-0-7190-3032-1.
- "History & Heritage". S.A.Brain & Co Ltd. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
- "End of an Era". S.A.Brain - Our Heritage. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
- "Property is the new beer". Wales Online. 4 October 2003. Retrieved 16 August 2020.