University Extension: the Land between the University and Corbett Road

The land immediately to the north of the University College building was allocated as expansion space for the University and was shown as a sports ground on Ordnance Survey maps of the 1940s and 1950s. The earliest photographic view is from the postcard below, postmarked 1914, which shows this land in the middle left of the view, with a few trees and rough pathways.

Postcard dated 1914 showing pathways

1914 postcard showing the University and expansion space to the north

On the aerial photograph below, taken in 1950, this space has become a sports ground where a running track and tennis court are clearly visible. The road on the left is College Road and that on the right is Corbett Road. The original Cathays railway station is at the bottom right of the picture.

Aerial view including Cathays railway platform

1950 aerial view including Cathays station platform

The image below, an extract from a 1952 aerial photograph also shows the running track and a tennis court. The University building, with its horseshoe-shaped drive, is at the top right of the photograph. The entire frame 5077 can be seen in the aerial photographs section.

Aerial view including Cathays railway platform

1952 a erial photo showing running track & tennis court

The 1962 photograph below shows that the first development was the new Arts Building at the junction of Corbett Road, Park Place and Museum Avenue. It was opened in 1963. (This "V" shaped building now houses the Cardiff University Law School.) The tennis court can still be seen on the left hand side of the picture. Another new building was planned at this time for the space between the University and the Arts Building, an area known as the "Ranch Site". This building, faced with Portland stone and limited in height to harmonise with other Civic Centre buildings, was occupied by the Pre-Clinical Departments (Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology) in 1968. The tower building constructed between the Arts and Pre-Clinical buildings was officially opened by the Duke of Edinburgh on 18th April 1968.

Aerial photograph from August 1962 showing the new Law Building

August 1962 aerial photograph showing the new Arts Building