Heritage Architecture is still driving the East City’s regeneration

Cape Town’s East City Precinct has for some time been described as the up-and-coming design and innovation district. It is sandwiched in between the Castle, the Parliament buildings, Gardens and District Six neighbourhoods. As the city returns to a different kind of normal, this district, which was in a process of rebirth before the pandemic, has seen regeneration continue and support the CBD’s post-covid recovery - in large part tapping into the wealth of heritage architecture. The recent devastation at the Parliament Buildings has been a stark reminder that our heritage buildings should be protected and enhanced to complement the next chapter of the Cape Town CBD’s comeback era.

The architectural style of the area is a mix, including buildings dating back to the 17th century and some of the most iconic heritage buildings in the city. Beyond just offering stunning facades, these buildings are opened to the public through a variety of ways. Including through museums, coffee shops, eateries, art galleries, design studios and office spaces. It is especially the ground floor developments that open up on the street such as cafes and galleries, that make the East City a great area to explore on foot.

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How do these heritage buildings play a part in urban regeneration?

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Heritage buildings like these provide the perfect location for creative and professional businesses that are looking for office and retail space in the inner city. These are not just dull uniform office blocks but unique icons that could be refurbished for a wide range of uses. Especially as mixed-use developments, with a combination of residential, commercial and leisure spaces that provide all-in-one living and working experiences. The innovative vibe of the East City has also made it an attractive destination for tourists and locals, who come to the trendy coffee shops and bakeries. It is a must-visit stop on any guided walking tour of the city.

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Refurbishment of existing buildings also provides an opportunity to create more sustainable and energy efficient buildings. A must for any new developments in the coming years. Refurbishment tends to be less intrusive and reduces the amount of construction material and our carbon emissions - when compared to new buildings.

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From museums, to coffee shops and galleries, there is much to explore.

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The Slave Lodge is the city’s second oldest building and can be found on the corner of Adderley and Wale Streets. It was built in 1679 and is currently home to one of the city’s best museums that tells the story of slavery in Cape Town and raises awareness of issues around human rights. The District Six Homecoming Centre consists of the five interconnected buildings on the corner of Buitenkant and Caledon Streets. Restored in 2002 it consists of a remnant portion of an old-Gothic style Congregational Church at the centre, enveloped by nineteenth and twentieth century warehouses. The centre is a space that facilitates education and memory work and a venue for events and conferences. The Museum’s permanent exhibition is located in the historic Methodist Church just down the road at 15A Buitenkant Street and is well worth a visit.

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On Church Square, you’ll find the The Iziko Social History Centre in what used to be The National Mutual Building, it was renovated between 2006 - 2010 conserving its historical features while creating a world-class museum, storage and research facility. The centre comprises the reserve Social History collections and archives and unites collections that were separated under apartheid.  

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Mixed-use developments

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The Adderley, with its iconic facade of five distinctly different and separate buildings that were later linked, is another mixed-use development. It dates as far back as 1903 and has a hotel, residential and commercial spaces - with a significant amount of flexible parking spaces serving both residents, office workers, and occasional visitors to the CBD.

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Another iconic development is Speakers Corner, also on Church Square, which gets its name from it’s proximity to Parliament and the history of the square. It was refurbished in 2018 and it’s stunning interior can be accessed through a publicly accessible art gallery on the ground floor. It also hosts co-working office spaces and South Africa’s top fine dining restaurant Fyn is on the top floor.

Another way of engaging with the city is through artistic representations of architecture. Union House on Commercial Street will be hosting an exhibition of 365 hand-drawings of South African Architecture by Shaun Gaylard entitled RSA 365 from February 18th 2022.

With ongoing renovations at The Reserve building, transformations of existing buildings in Harrington Street and the completion of City Hall’s renovation - the East City is certainly ready to enter into the future - and its beautiful heritage architecture will come along with it.