It will be two storeys and the applicants say the house will fit well with a city centre ‘masterplan’
07:00, 03 Feb 2026Updated 07:02, 03 Feb 2026
This is one of the upside down houses in Brighton and one is now coming to Cardiff city centre(Image: Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)
A house which will be upside down has won planning approval from Cardiff council. There are several upside down houses across the UK and the business behind the houses says they are significant tourist attractions which can enhance the appeal of a place.
The house – not actually to live in but rather to take the family to for some funny photos – sits on its roof and has been approved by council planners and is planned for 2 Churchill Way in the city centre, not far from the student area of Cathays. It has approval to remain at the site for a year.
The upside down house is a two-storey attraction that appears as a conventional home turned upside down. According to the applicant, Upside Down House UK Ltd, there are 13 upside down houses across the UK.
The application reads: “The Upside Down House has been a popular attraction, founded in late 2018. In this time it has received over three million visitors with approximately 80-85% of the visitors being families. In Brighton alone Upside Down House receives close to 100,000 visitors every year.” Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here
The design of the upside down house as it would be expected to look in Cathays, Cardiff(Image: Upside Down House UK Ltd)
In the planning statement it is outlined that the development would align with the existing Canal Quarter regeneration masterplan and the applicants say upside down houses “strongly support the local economy” and “significantly boost tourist attractions” for the cities and towns they are in.
Planning documents go on to read that the attraction would “complement Cardiff city and cultural centre”. The application reads: “There are clear public benefits from the siting of the upside down house. It is a significant tourist attraction in its own right.
“Ensuring these visitors are taken into the heart of the Cardiff tourism area will lead to opportunities for spending at other attractions in the city centre.”
The house will be finished in green with a white roof for the purpose of “reflecting and complementing the colours of the Welsh national flag”.
It will also have wheelchair-friendly pathways for ease of access. Discounts are provided to families, NHS workers and Max Card holders.
According to the planning officer’s report, due to the temporary nature of the installation and its distance from nearby historic buildings, the house would preserve the character of the conservation area.
Additionally, it reads: “It is considered that the proposal would not be overbearing or generally unneighbourly to justify concern for the local planning authority.”
The officer also determined that the installation would “not have any adverse impact upon highway pedestrian safety”.