Architect and Builder January/February 2016

PROJECT FEATURE THE MIRAGE THE MIRAGE Cape Town DEVELOPERS IN A JV The Nova Group Careline Living Spaces QUANTITY SURVEYORS Rubiquant ARCHITECTS Kevin Gadd Architects (with Scott Johnston Architect) STRUCTURAL, MECHANICAL, FIRE Sutherland Engineers ELECTRICAL McAvinchey Consulting Engineers HEALTH AND SAFETY Frontline Consultants GREEN CONSULTANTS Terramanzi Group INTERIOR DESIGN - HOTEL Source Interior Brand Architecture MAIN CONTRACTOR The Nova Group PHOTOGRAPHY Fiona Barclay Smith Inge Prins Photography Louise Fenner-Solomon 48 S ituated on the border of the historic De Waterkant and Bo Kaap districts in Cape Town, The Mirage is a contemporary mixed–use development that faced the multi-faceted challenge of erecting a modern building in a sensitive heritage area. Background Developed by The Nova Group and Careline in a 50/50 partnership, the project underwent numerous architectural and design changes over a number of years before Kevin Gadd Architects, (working in collaboration with architect Scott Johnston), were appointed to answer the brief from the developers. The Site The site sits on the corner of Strand, Chiappini and Hudson Streets. This places the building on the very edge of the CBD zoning boundary, which has generous bulk and height allocations. Outside of this boundary, from Hudson street onwards, the zoning allocations are more onerous, which highlight the contrast between the two zones – essentially the new city meeting the old. The site originally consisted of a number of older buildings, of which the Phoenix Hotel is the most historically interesting. The Phoenix bar was known locally as a meeting place for local anti-apartheid activists during the apartheid years and had a strong socio-political relevance within the local community. Although there is now no sign of this historical past, the architects were aware of the heritage of the site and, on some level, feel that there was an accountability beyond the commercial imperative that influenced their approach to the design. The footprint of the buildings extends to the boundary on all sides. Excavation of the basement for parking was challenged on the boundary of Strand and Hudson by a seam of stone that runs down from the old quarry on Strand Street. Four basement levels were excavated. The Mirage

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