Many of us drive past the Dock Offices today, a building steeped in Barry history, and may not pay much more attention than a brief nod to David Davies, who stands reading his plans for the building behind him.

Constructed between 1897 and 1900 as part of industrialist Davies's scheme, the docks were intended to regulate the substantial coal exporting trade, which had reached global notoriety in Barry.

It was a luxurious building, costing £59,000, with marble fireplaces, teak panelling and an impressive clock tower. The architects, James Allen & Sons of Cardiff, designed it around a calendar theme, as a monument to productivity.

The building has 365 windows, including both a sun and moon window, and 7 porch windows. It also has 12 porch panels, 31 steps, four floors and 52 fireplaces.

The theme did the job – in 1913, Barry Docks exported 11 million tonnes, becoming the busiest port in the world.

Then, just over 70 years later, a fire broke out at the Dock Offices. To this day, many Barry residents recall watching the flames engulf the clock tower, an orange blaze against a pitch-black sky.

The fire in 1984 was caused by an electrical fault, and it destroyed the roof and second floor. But when the clock mechanism collapsed, it was held by the patented Dawney ceiling which saved the building.

William Potts of Leeds, the original makers of the clock, were able to make an exact replica apart from one change – the clock is now electronic and does not need winding.

The rest of the building was later restored by Associated British Ports and it now houses the part of Vale of Glamorgan Council dealing with building construction and new civil engineering projects.

The Grade II* listed building has lost none of its original grandeur, however, a testimony to the restoration work.