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Callaghan Square () is a large public plaza in Cardiff, Wales, previously known as Bute Square. It was developed as part of a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) scheme to link central Cardiff with Cardiff Bay.
Initially named Bute Square, in 1998 the development had been considered as a location for the new home of the Senedd. It was rejected because of the risks associated with a complex PFI scheme. There were also concerns the site would be too small and dominated by traffic.Auditor General for Wales, "Accommodation Arrangements for the National Assembly for Wales" , Wales Audit Office, 2 November 2000, pp. 20-21. Retrieved 2012-04-05. In March 2000, there was a three-month suspension and review of the project, in which Bute Square was one of three alternative locations considered;Auditor General for Wales, "Accommodation Arrangements for the National Assembly for Wales" , Wales Audit Office, 2 November 2000, p. 5. Retrieved 2012-04-05. the preferred location continued to be in Cardiff Bay next to the Pierhead Building, which became the Senedd building building.
A statue of the John Crichton-Stuart, 2nd Marquess of Bute was relocated to Bute Square in 2000. The statue was originally created in 1853 and stood in front of the old town hall. 100 facts you (probably) didn't know about Cardiff (no. 65), Walesonline (Expats Newsletter), 17 June 2002. Retrieved 2012-04-05.
A new commercial office scheme was also developed on the square by property company MEPC. The first phase, a 145,000 sq ft office building completed by 2002, was named No 1 Bute Square.Sion Barry Tory AM claims name change could hamper development, Western Mail, 2 August 2002. Retrieved 2012-04-05.
On 1 June 2002 Bute Square was renamed Callaghan Square in honour of former UK Prime Minister (and Cardiff South and Penarth MP) James Callaghan. Bute Square renamed after Callaghan, Walesonline (Expats Newsletter), undated. Retrieved 2012-04-05.
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