Cardiff is home to some very impressive buildings.
From the huge apartment and blocks that tower over the city skyline to architectural feats such as the Wales Millennium Centre, the capital boasts some eye-catching structures - as well as its fair share of eyesores.
But if you've ever wondered what the most objectively attractive building in Cardiff is, then wonder no more, as a new study has revealed the five most beautiful architectural works in the city.
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The study, which you can find here, used the ancient mathematical formula of the 'Golden Ratio' to measure the beauty of more than 2,400 buildings in over 45 cities across the UK.
The ratio (1:1.618) is a set of proportions that has been used by artists and scientists for at least 4,000 years to achieve the epitome of natural aesthetic perfection in art and design.
Using the formula, each city studied was given a "beauty score" - or the average percentage of its buildings that conform to the Golden Ratio. The higher the score, the closer a city's buildings are, on average, to the ratio.
The study analysed the golden ratio proportions of iconic buildings in Cardiff, and scanned Google Street View for residential streets with at least three buildings to measure their proportions too.
The five most visually appealing buildings in the capital were then ranked - and there are a few surprises.
Pierhead Building
Topping the list with a beauty score of 80% is the Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay. The former headquarters of the Bute Dock Company, the 19th Century building is one of the city's most popular and picturesque landmarks.
The Coal Exchange
Just across the road in second place is the Coal Exchange Hotel. Built in 1888, the building in Mount Stuart Square was once the hub of the global coal trade, before later becoming a music venue and then a hotel.
The future of the building was left in limbo when the owners went into administration during the pandemic, but it reopened in October 2020 after being taken over by a new company.
City Hall
The third most attractive building in Cardiff, according to the study, is City Hall, which is currently hosting Winter Wonderland in the grounds opposite.
The Prince of Wales pub
In fourth place with a beauty score of 69.2% is The Prince of Wales pub on St Mary Street.
Previously the Theatre Royal (and later the Prince of Wales theatre), it was built on the site of the old St Mary's Church in 1878 - the outline of which can still be seen today, built-in brick on the side of the pub.
After its last performance as a theatre in 1965, the Prince of Wales became a cinema, later specialising in erotic films, and has since been everything from a bingo hall and Laserquest venue to Caesar’s Nightclub and a casino. It re-opened its doors as a Wetherspoon’s pub in 1999.
Norwegian Church
Rounding off the list is the picturesque Norwegian Church Arts Centre, one of the Bay's landmark buildings. Formerly a Lutheran church, it now hosts regular exhibitions, music concerts and other events.
Overall, Cardiff recorded an impressive beauty score of 78.9%, making it the ninth most visually appealing city in the UK, tied with Edinburgh.
While this is below London, Bristol and Chester - which took top spot with a score of 83.7%, the Welsh capital is above other tourist hotspots such as Bath, York and Cambridge.
What is your favourite building in Cardiff? Let us know in the comments below.
