dhk Architects completes the multidisciplinary implementation of its designs for Longkloof Precinct

• The Longkloof Precinct showcases how sensitive use of contemporary architecture and strategic urban design can enhance historical areas while stimulating economic activity and creating vibrant public spaces
• The development reconnects a previously under-used, inaccessible precinct into a new publicly accessible public space
• The development includes five existing heritage buildings affected by significant heritage considerations that influenced multiple design decisions
• A new hotel has been constructed for a global hotel brand, designed in a unique configuration

dhk Architects, a leading multidisciplinary architectural studio, has successfully completed the implementation of its designs for the redevelopment of Longkloof Precinct in Gardens, Cape Town, for Growthpoint Properties. The 15-year long project comprises the restoration, refurbishment and additions to five historic buildings, and the construction of a new hotel for a leading global hotel operator, along with the creation of a new publicly accessible urban square.

The site comprises six separate erven, acquired by Growthpoint, with an accumulated site area of 16,500m². The overarching vision was to create an interconnected landscaped public realm managed by a single owner, with new street frontage and a new secured yet publicly accessible external space at the heart of the precinct. dhk’s adaptive reuse design revitalises the existing heritage buildings with restorations, refurbishments and contemporary additions, and adds a new hotel to fully activate the site within a redesigned public realm.

Pierre Swanepoel, Partner at dhk Architects, says: “The Longkloof Precinct project brought together all of our multidisciplinary design skills, to create an honest dialogue between heritage and contemporary elements in a sensitive and respectful combination.

Precinct-led design approach

The Longkloof Precinct is located at the south-western fringe of the Cape Town CBD, bounded by Kloof Street to the east, Park Street to the south and New Church Street to the west. Jameson Street extends through the precinct. The precinct falls within the Upper Table Valley Urban Conservation Area and the five original historic buildings of various scales are all subject to heritage protections, highlighting the importance of preserving the historic fabric.

The multi-erven site previously lacked spatial cohesion, integration and connectivity to the surrounding area. The precinct was landlocked with minimal street frontages, and public access to commercial buildings was controlled and restricted, compounding the disconnection from the immediate context. Previously, the largest erf on the precinct was used for surface car parking.

dhk’s involvement in the precinct was incremental, starting in 2009 with an initial briefing for the design of an office proposal on the larger Park Street site at the former MLT House with surface parking behind. The brief later expanded to integrate the other buildings in the precinct: the Spar and Kloof annex building with parking was incorporated in 2011; 32 on Kloof in 2013; Darter and Threshers (known as Longkloof Studios) in 2014; The Refinery (the former West Cliff school) in 2017 and finally No.2 Park Street (formerly Rick’s Americain Café) in 2024.

Derick Henstra, Chairman and Co-founding Partner of dhk Architects, says: “Longkloof is one of the studio’s flagship projects. It is an outstanding demonstration of how precinct-led urban design and sensitive, considered architectural design can be combined to add value to neglected urban environments. We are absolutely delighted with the results.”

Heritage considerations and strategic urban design

Several significant heritage indicators informed the design and development decisions. In particular, new buildings needed to respect and not detract from the historic structures, and development required approvals relating to Heritage Western Cape conditions, land use management systems (LUMS) regulations, building plans and heritage protection overlay zoning. Building heights were informed by the roof heights of the adjacent historical buildings, of varying scales. View corridors into the site had to be maintained and façade articulation and materiality also needed to reference the site’s industrial character.

dhk also developed an urban precinct plan to create, activate and enhance public spaces around the existing buildings. The urban design response fully integrates all erven into one precinct to strengthen their connection to the surrounding context. Fragmented building forms reduce bulk and maintain reference to historical buildings and new links have been introduced through the precinct to connect different parts of the city and the existing streetscape. This creates a vibrant publicly accessible environment. Vehicular access is restricted, and three levels of basement parking ensure a car-free pedestrian-friendly environment.

Revitalising existing buildings

The historical buildings were restored, refurbished, added to and upgraded to meet contemporary uses, including co-working and office spaces.

• 32 on Kloof was significantly altered with the addition of a contemporary two-storey orthogonal glazed form to the existing double-storey structure, along with internal alterations to provide premium open-plan office layouts. An annex building in the courtyard was demolished to improve light to the building on both sides, and the courtyard was excavated to create a café at basement level.
• Formerly known as Longkloof Studios, the Darters and Threshers buildings were altered and refurbished to improve the quality of internal spaces, circulation legibility and compliance between the three buildings. New WC cores were created and external walkways were added onto the heritage façades. A new excavated courtyard activates basement spaces and creates a visual connection into the adjacent precinct.
• Designed by Sir Herbert Baker’s studio, the Refinery building was reconfigured to maximise interior office and retail spaces. The roof and services were refurbished and new glazed doors were installed into the arched window openings on the ground floor, creating greater visibility of the new public square. Hard and soft landscaping was introduced on all sides of the building. Heritage restrictions required a 15m-20m development exclusion zone to preserve the character of this building.
• The former MLT House was considered to have limited heritage importance. This building was partly demolished, with only the eastern façade retained to be integrated into the hotel building.
• Previously Rick's Americain Café, the Victorian building at 2 Park Street was sensitively refurbished and incorporated into the precinct, creating a new frontage. A modern extension was partially demolished and a sunken courtyard was created leading into a new retail alley.

Linking new with old

The new hotel sits alongside the historical buildings on a site characterised by extremely irregular, complex geometry unusual for a hotel. Originally designed as two office buildings, the hotel design was developed with extensive consultation with heritage authorities and informed by heritage design indicators. The new buildings introduce contemporary elements that reference the adjacent historical structures and without mimicking them as a pastiche. Robust detailing to the steelwork and the roof references the industrial nature of the existing former tobacco factory buildings on site.

The hotel building hosts restaurants and retail units, activating the ground-floor plane and inviting day-night activity into the new public space. The footprints of the new hotel and retail buildings were carefully positioned to improve relationship between the public streetscape along Park and New Church Street and the internal publicly accessible square. Visual corridors and open spaces create greater internal continuity and accessibility through the precinct. This was fundamental to the precinct-led design approach.

Materials and sustainability

Materials include textures that complement the landmark red brick and white plaster of existing buildings. The landscape is characterised with grey paving from reclaimed granite cobbles, weathered steel elements, rows of deciduous trees indigenous planting and integrated wooden seating with generous stairways addressing level changes.

The development prioritises sustainability through the adaptive reuse of existing buildings, preserving embodied energy. High-performance glazing, energy-saving systems, water-efficient landscaping and internal fixtures are among the various sustainability features across the precinct.

Neil Schloss, Growthpoint’s Head of Asset Management SA, says: “There is certain value in more difficult developments. We are extremely pleased with what has been achieved with the redevelopment of the historic Longkloof precinct and we fully believe that it enhances its surrounds and the city.”