Cardiff Transport Club closed its doors as a social club and base for Cardiff Bus in December after almost a century.
Now, Cardiff Council has confirmed it's in the process of buying the property in the Riverside neighbourhood for 'future housing development' opportunities in the long term.
But in the meantime, it will be used as a support and education centre for the homeless.
The Transport Club has been going since 1926, and was first located on Millicent Street.
It moved to its current location on Tudor Street in 1999 and during the past five years it's been a base for Cardiff Bus, before their move to the old Ticketline Office on Westgate Street.
A council spokeswoman told WalesOnline: “The Council is currently in the process of acquiring the former Transport Club building on Tudor St in Riverside as a future housing development opportunity. In the meantime it is proposed to use the building to develop an advice, support and education centre for people experiencing homelessness.
"The project is one of a number planned for this year to help single people and couples who are homeless to turn their lives around through positive intervention, education and diversionary activity."
The council statement added that the centre will be provide access to computers to enable individuals to claim benefits, Into Work and Money Advice workshops as well as building on schemes that 'provide alternatives to negative street cultures, which have already supported around 300 homeless individuals to take part in activities such as art, photography and music workshops.'
She added: " The centre will be available to clients seeking support or engaging in meaningful activity and will provide access to computers for digital inclusion and to enable individuals to claim benefits.
"There will be no needle exchange on site, rather the centre will provide those sleeping out or in emergency accommodation with somewhere to go during the day which is safe and where a range of activities and education opportunities can help get their lives back on track.
Have a look inside the club
However, local resident Richard Collins has started a petition which calls for the club to be turned into a community centre which embraces the multicultural and creative side of the area, similar to what's happening at Cathays Community Centre.
Mr Collins, who is a gig promoter in his spare time, said that while he was proud to live in an area of Cardiff that has services to help vulnerable people, he pointed out that "the cultural character" is disappearing from the city.
He said: "The council has confirmed in the future it will make for a 'housing development opportunity'. They just want to turn it into some sort of luxury accommodation, which we’re saturated with throughout Cardiff. The character is being ripped out of the city and the demolition of Guilford Crescent last year typifies this.
"What we need is deeper sense of community, people coming together with a special, arts-focused community space right on their doorstep. I'd love this space to be a representation of Riverside, a multicultural area. Music from all sorts of nationalities and cultures being celebrated. I’d also love for it to be a place where vulnerable people could come and enjoy the arts, enjoy live performances and learning instruments. Offering a chance to experience joy in such challenging circumstances."
In response to the petition for the club to change into a community space, the council spokeswoman added: "Riverside already has a number of community buildings while an active entertainment venue in the Tramshed is also nearby. These new proposals will provide support and advice to some of the most vulnerable individuals in the city."
You can find more information about the Transport Club petition, here.
