Former All Blacks rugby player and Cardiff Blues Captain, Xavier Rush, has put his Penarth property on the market.

Xavier Rush and his company X-stream Developments were integral in the redevelopment of Albert Road Church and has lived in the pictured penthouse apartment with his family since the building's completion.

It is a property development company that works hard with local authorities, to design and obtain planning permission, that allows new life to be breathed into old forgotten buildings.

It is considered an award-winning development after the Penarth Civic Society recognised the ''outstanding conversion of Albert Road Methodist Church''.

The Penarth Civic Society presented a Civic Enhancement Award to Mr Simon Baston, Director of ABA Holdings, architects of the conversion of Albert Road Methodist Church into townhouses and apartments.

A ceramic plaque is presented to all winners of a Civic Enhancement Award to be attached to the exterior of the property.

The three-bed apartment is situated in the heart of Penarth with views stretching over Cardiff and the channel.

The five-storey tower is definitely one of the more impressive features of this property.

There are two parking spaces and the home is within close proximity to the town centre and the Pier.

Allen and Harris, the estate agents marketing the property, state: ''Behind the imposing façade of the former Alcedonia Church lies this architecturally unique home.

''The location of this impressive church conversion is almost as award-winning as the building itself, located opposite the popular Belle Vue Park, which is the hub of the local community regularly hosting festivals, events and general enjoyment of the open space by local residents.

''This sympathetically converted apartment not only retains an array of architecturally-pleasing features, here they have been restored and integrated into the luxury design so that they sing the history of the building's past.

''The architecture in this apartment manages to capture the essence of vast open spaces that would have existed in the original church and celebrates all its surviving features.

''Throughout the property, a mix of contemporary and natural materials have been used to ensure that the property has a modern feel but is also a warm inviting space.

''The vaulted ceilings with exposed oak beams assist with the feeling of light and space whilst the eye-catching Gothic style stained glass windows provide a pop of colour.

''The glass staircase panels provide a modern touch with the contrasting wood handrails making a visual connection to the aforementioned oak ceiling beams.

''The Bespoke high gloss kitchen reflects and disperses light giving a perfect balance of ultramodern design whilst allowing the cornucopia of original features to take centre stage.''

Mr Rush will continue to reside in Penarth but in a bigger space for his family.

The property has recently been reduced and now stands on the market at £995,000.

Click the red button below for more information on the prime property.