Planning Parameters
The precinct is situated within a working harbour
environment and one of its features is its proximity
to the water’s edge. The relationship to and
interface with the public walkway along this
water’s edge is one of the fundamental design
considerations for any new building in the precinct.
Furthermore it was important that the urban design
guidelines set out in the precinct plan were used
to ensure a coordinated environment. The heights,
setbacks, terracing, position of public spaces as
well as public right of way were all important in
determining the quality of the environment within
the precinct and specific planning parameters were
applicable to each of the specific sites within the
precinct. Some of the specific design parameters
applicable to The Yacht Club site included its use as
a hotel, residential apartments and offices. It was
a requirement that a view corridor extending from
Buitengracht Street to Table Bay be maintained and
the allowable height of the built form to the east of
this corridor was significantly lower than that of the
built form to the west of it. These two parts of the
building were to be connected to each other by a
continuous two level podium running the length of
the whole site. Setbacks were required from the
edge of this podium to the building above. A 12m
wide servitude for public access from south to
north traverses the site at ground level and allows
for a connection between the public edge of the
canal on the south with the Blue Train station on
the northern boundary.
GROUND FLOOR
AND SITE PLAN
66
The Yacht Club