THE MADISON, CAPE TOWN
As Cape Town’ s CBD continues to densify, dhk Architects’ design for The Madison at 142 Bree Street establishes a mixed-use development model that connects the building directly with the activity of the surrounding streets.
Designed for Tricolt, The Madison is a 44,500m ², 23-storey development occupying a full city block bounded by Bree, Buitengracht, Dorp and Leeuwen Streets on the south-western edge of the Cape Town CBD. Located adjacent to the historic Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, the project required a considered architectural response that balances a prominent contemporary tower with the heritage character of its surroundings.
Bree Street is one of Cape Town’ s most culturally vibrant urban corridors, characterised by a diverse architectural language, restaurants, hospitality venues and an active street life. Its position within this evolving precinct presented an opportunity for the development to contribute to the public realm rather than function as a standalone residential building.
The project comprises 383 apartments, including one- and two-bedroom units, executive suites, simplex units and penthouses. The apartments are positioned to maximise views towards Table Mountain, Lion’ s Head, the city centre and the V & A Waterfront.
The development is designed to encourage a connected way of living, both within the building and in its relationship with the surrounding city. The ground floor is opened wherever possible to create active street edges along Bree, Dorp, Buitengracht and Leeuwen Streets. Restaurants are concentrated along Bree Street, while the primary pedestrian entrance is located on the quieter Dorp Street, strengthening connections with the surrounding urban fabric.
The tower steps back from the podium to create a greater sense of openness for residents. At ground level, the podium occupies the full block, helping to establish a cohesive urban edge while allowing the development to respond to future changes in the surrounding cityscape.
Materiality, proportion and texture form important elements of the architectural approach, with the design intended to establish a building that responds to its location while contributing a contemporary layer to the evolving CBD.
The Madison also forms part of dhk’ s longer-term involvement in the regeneration of central Cape Town. The practice has contributed to the city’ s changing urban landscape for nearly three decades through projects including Portside, 35 Lower Long, The Rubik and the Longkloof Precinct. Its current CBD portfolio includes The Paradigm and City Park, which are under construction, as well as The Matrix, which is in design development.
The Madison launched in July 2026 and has already recorded strong demand. According to Launchbase, more than R1.255 billion in off-plan sales were secured during the launch, with 176 apartments reserved within the first hour and 272 sold by midnight. With 72 % of the units sold, construction is scheduled to commence in early 2027, with completion anticipated in mid-2029.
Through its full-block approach, active street edges and response to the surrounding heritage context, The Madison demonstrates how residential-led mixeduse development can contribute to the continuing transformation of Cape Town’ s CBD while strengthening its connection with the existing city.
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