Mansion House, Cardiff subsequently being used by Cardiff Council for events, functions, civil ceremonies and weddings. It was also the base for the council's protocol team. Mansion House, Cardiff The Mansion House (), located on Richmond Road, is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of Cardiff. Architects Habershon & Fawckner designed the Mansion House and it was built in 1896 for James Howell, owner of Howells department store. It was then known then as 'The Grove'. James Howell was a Cardiff businessman who opened his first shop in 1865. In 1890 he made arrangements to build a property on land leased from
London House, Aldersgate Street Lord Petre after the restoration to be the London City mansion of the Bishop of London. From that time it was known by the name of London House. After the bishops ceased to use it as a residence, it was at last let out into tenements and warehouses. In 1750–1751 the "City of London Lying-in Hospital for married women and sick and lame Outpatients" was located in London House before moving to Thanet or Shaftesbury House also in Aldersgate Street. In the late 1760s the structure was consumed by fire, and private buildings were erected in its place. London House,