The iconic Good Hope Centre is set to get a make-over after the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee approved initiating a public participation process to release the site for redevelopment.
The aim, the City says, is to unlock the immense economic potential of the Centre, while promoting the heritage of this Mother City landmark.
The City proposes to retain the Good Hope Centre’s Italian-designed dome while optimising the surrounding space for mixed-use. The proposal now advances to the City Council on 5 December for authorisation to commence public participation.
Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth James Vos says the proposed redevelopment balances heritage preservation with creating a vibrant, modern precinct that meets Cape Town’s urban and economic needs.
Proposed features include:
• A pedestrian-friendly forecourt
• Ground-floor retail spaces
• Residential and commercial units
• Structured underground parking to maximise land use
‘Revitalising the Good Hope Centre through private sector investment is critical to preserving its legacy while ensuring its optimal use for the benefit of Cape Town residents. This approach will enable the site to thrive as a functional and economically active space, contributing to our city’s growth and prosperity.
‘This proposed redevelopment project aligns with Cape Town’s broader goals of economic growth, job creation, and attracting investment, as outlined in the City’s Integrated Development Plan. It will catalyse regeneration in the precinct, provide vibrant community spaces, and secure long-term revenue for the City that can be ploughed back into services and infrastructure delivery.’
Currently, the Good Hope Centre site is leased monthly, generating R520 000 per month.
However, Vos says private sector investment is required to unlock the site’s immense economic potential through mixed-use development.
‘The Good Hope Centre is a vital part of Cape Town’s fabric. We are committed to ensuring that its future is carefully considered and developed in consultation with our residents. Once approved by Council, we will announce the details of the public participation process to keep all interested parties informed and involved. We look forward to working with the public to shape the future of this iconic site together.’
About the Good Hope Centre:
This iconic landmark was designed by the famous Italian engineer and architect Pier Luigi Nervi (1891-1979), who is internationally considered as one of the masters of 20th-century reinforced concrete structures.
One of Nervi’s last works, the Good Hope Centre opened in 1977, and features some of his most famous building techniques and architectural forms: the precast concrete roof, which was at that time the largest concrete cross vault in the world.
The building also had a social and political value – when it opened to the public, it was supposed to be open to all races, raising the issue of discrimination in the entertainment field and the problem of multiracial audiences.
The Good Hope Centre is considered a remarkable example of Italian design from the 1960s and 1970s. The Centre’s roof characterizes the history of Italian architecture from the Pantheon to Brunelleschi, from Michelangelo to Borromini.
The Good Hope Centre hosted numerous events and concerts through the decades before it became defunct. This includes the 1994 Depeche Mode Tour, the World Junior Weightlifting Championships in 1997, the World Karate Championships in 2004 and the World Rope Skipping Championships in 2008.
It was also the home of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival between 2000 and 2003.
