Leaders including provincial Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers,Premier Alan Winde and Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis unveil the Prestwich Precinct, set to deliver 310 inner-city housing units.
Image: SUPPLIED
A new mixed-use affordable housing development has been unveiled in Cape Town’s city centre, marking another step towards addressing the metro’s housing shortage.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, MEC of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers, and Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis officially introduced the Prestwich Precinct project on Thursday, March 18.
The development, located on the corner of Buitengracht Street and Somerset Road, is the third major inner-city, residential-led project to be launched in just over a year, following similar initiatives at the Leeuloop and Founders Garden precincts.
It forms part of a partnership between the Western Cape Government, the City of Cape Town, and the national Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
In a statement from the provincial department of Infrastructure, it said the project is set on a consolidated site bordered by Somerset, Buitengracht, Chiappini, and Prestwich streets. The project will transform approximately 6 700m² of land into a mixed-use urban hub.
Plans include two buildings – one 12 storeys high and the other seven storeys – with a total of 310 residential units, said the statement.
Mr Simmers said the day marked a "significant milestone in unveiling the Prestwich Precinct project. This site will be a vibrant hub to bring Cape Town's residents closer to economic opportunities, with at least 120 units dedicated specifically to affordable housing."
He said the development is intended to build a more inclusive city centre where dignity and opportunity are within walking distance for everyone.
The remaining 190 units will be made available on the open market.
He said the project reflects the government’s commitment to accelerating housing delivery.
“By leveraging high-value land and cross-subsidisation, we are delivering modern social amenities and affordable homes in a medium-rise development right where opportunity lives,” he said.
The development has been designed with sustainability and heritage considerations in mind, with plans to achieve a four-star green building certification while incorporating existing heritage elements, said Mr Simmers
"It will also prioritise pedestrian-friendly spaces and public areas to enhance safety and accessibility," he said.
Mr Winde described the project as a model for unlocking public land.
“By bringing affordable housing closer to economic opportunities and transport nodes, we are empowering residents and promoting economic growth,” he said.
Mr Hill-Lewis said that the City’s contribution of land in a central location would help provide well-located rental opportunities for working families, noting that thousands of similar units are in the pipeline through various initiatives.
The process to appoint a developer is expected to begin with a Request for Proposals set to be advertised on April 10. The project will also include measures to support local labour and small businesses.
Capetowner contacted the City of Cape Town for further comment. Still, they indicated that the project is primarily led by the provincial government, with the City contributing only a parcel of land to support the development.
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