Cape Town’s Good Hope Centre precinct is poised for one of the most ambitious inner-city regeneration efforts in decades. With Council soon to decide on the City’s proposal, preparations are already underway for a transparent public auction expected in early 2026, to be conducted by Claremart. If approved, this redevelopment promises to reshape a historic part of the metro while driving economic growth and cultural revitalisation.
A Landmark Redevelopment for a Modern Cape Town
Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos, describes the project as a strategic opportunity to “breathe new life into a strategically located part of the inner city, protect our heritage, unlock investment, and generate jobs.”
The Good Hope Centre, long recognised for its architectural and cultural significance, sits on a 2.4-hectare mixed-use site that has been underutilised for years. Partnering with a private developer, the City aims to unlock the precinct’s economic potential while keeping public benefit at the heart of the plan.
Vos emphasises that revenue from the sale will flow back into service delivery city-wide, ensuring the project uplifts both the precinct and broader communities.
Catalysing Investment and Creating Jobs
The proposed development offers substantial development rights that could support a blend of residential, commercial, retail, and events-related uses. The redevelopment is expected to act as a catalyst for the wider inner-city area, anchoring further growth and renewal.
Key socio-economic benefits anticipated include:
- Major infrastructure upgrades funded by the developer
- Increased municipal revenue from enhanced property valuations and utilities
- Thousands of jobs generated during construction and throughout ongoing operations
- Expanded opportunities for local contractors and small businesses
- A long-term uplift in surrounding property values
- Improved access to economic opportunities for nearby communities
“This is the City doing exactly what we said we would do — unlock idle municipal assets so the private sector can invest, build, and create thousands of jobs,” said Vos.
Honouring Heritage While Driving Growth
Central to the redevelopment is the preservation of the Good Hope Centre’s iconic architectural character. Designed by celebrated Italian architect Pier Luigi Nervi, the domed exhibition hall is a Grade 3B heritage resource that has long served as a cultural landmark.
Conditions of sale will require the conservation and adaptive reuse of key heritage features, including the signature dome, ensuring the site’s history remains prominent within a modernised precinct. The guidelines align with the Phase 1 Heritage Impact Assessment and have been endorsed by the Impact Assessment Committee.
“The Good Hope Centre is a heritage asset, and we intend to preserve its iconic dome as a centrepiece,” emphasised Vos.
