Radnor District Council Offices (formerly Gwalia Hotel)

The building, originally the Gwalia Hotel and later Radnor District Council Offices, was constructed in the Queen Anne period and incorporates Edwardian Baroque elements. It is a substantial three-storey and attic structure with a brick front, prominently framed by octagonal, domed turrets. An advanced, stuccoed giant arched entrance bay features a segmental, dentilled pediment terminating in scrolls, supported by a plain cornice on pilasters with Ionic-influenced capitals. The arch to the second floor includes a shield and recessed window, while the first floor has a built-out bay with a horizontal cartouche above two sash windows flanked by fluted columns. A plain, semicircular arched entrance leads to panelled wooden doors. A large ironwork verandah projects across the front, sheltering a semicircular iron ribbed canopy over the entrance, with cresting to the arch and ridge, and featuring rich scroll work, cast iron columns with traceried spandrels, and foliated capitals. Sash windows are present throughout, with almond-shaped pivot windows in the top floors of the octagonal turrets. Large keystones rise to brick eaves courses, leading to leaded, domed roofs.

The hipped slate roof has exposed eaves and two brick stacks to the front, with a pitch of three to the left side. Three semicircular headed dormers, each with a sash window with glazing bars in architraves, are also present. Slightly advanced bays are situated either side of the centre, with sashes linked by stuccoed heraldic panels.

The four-storey and attic left side elevation, facing Norton Street and on a downhill slope towards Rock Park, displays four semicircular headed dormers and three splayed brick bays with concave stone parapets on moulded brackets, each topped with heraldic panels. Sash windows are featured. A terrace extends from the front at first-floor level, projecting the depth of one bay of the left side, with ironwork railings and small openings within the brick terrace wall. A later, semi-octagonal, six-story stone tower, executed in a Baroque Revival style, stands beyond this. The tower has a domed top with a classical semi-frieze and broken pediments to the first-floor sash windows. Stepping further down the hill, a five-story, six-window block adjoins in a similar light Baroque style. This brick construction has freestone dressings and a parapet with a detailed cornice below, including a shield to the centre. Three splayed bays to the left feature stone parapets and shields, along with large keystones. Other sash windows are linked by ashlar panels, with broken pediments to the first floor and triple keystones to the ground floor. The plain right side elevation, along Ithon Road, extends seven windows wide, over three storeys and a basement, with five dormers and sash windows throughout.

The interior retains a fine entrance hall with two-level galleries on three sides, featuring ironwork banisters, wooden newel posts, and repeated traceried patterns. A stuccoed and panelled ceiling is complemented by good Art Nouveau glass on all three floors and to the staircase. Doors exhibit sinuous detailing. The council room to the right includes a classical plaster frieze and a dentiled cornice.