PROJECTWATCH
PROPOSED, CURRENT AND FUTURE PROJECTS FROM SOUTH AFRICA AND ABROAD
ELEVENONB, WEST CITY, CAPE TOWN
Blok’ s biggest and boldest development to date has arrived. Introducing their 21st project, ELEVENONB, located at 11 Buiten Street in Cape Town’ s West City CBD.
ELEVENONB offers a new way of living in the city centre, designed to foster connection and encourage a walkable, 15-minute city lifestyle. The development is within walking distance of Kloof, Bree, and Long Streets, putting some of Cape Town’ s most vibrant social, retail, and dining hubs on residents’ doorstep. Its ground-floor spaces further enhance connectivity, creating a lived experience that extends beyond the apartment. A beautiful historic lane, Orphan Lane, as well as a heritage building formerly home to the iconic Madam Zingara, will both be fully restored, reviving the area’ s historic charm. At the corner of Loop and Buiten Streets, the building that once housed Madam Zingara is being reimagined as part of ELEVENONB, preserving the surviving historical façade while integrating it into a modern development.
The design by TwoFiveFive Architects balances heritage and contemporary design. The building’ s arched openings and rhythmic façade are reinterpreted at precinct scale, forming the foundation for a vertical composition that carries these gestures upward into the new architecture above. The corner features a glazed chamfered element, creating an overlooking aspect that defines the intersection and introduces a dynamic relationship between the building and the street. This intervention gives the corner prominence within the Buiten and Loop Street precinct, acting as a point of orientation while engaging with urban activity.
At street level, pedestrian experience and public generosity are prioritised. A portion of the heritage stoep has been removed to open the lane and improve connectivity, while part of the lane’ s bulk is yielded to create a public courtyard, enhancing permeability and encouraging activity. The arches continue into the upper structure within a grid-like framework, establishing a rhythmic order that maintains continuity with the historic base without overpowering it. The building introduces playful touches, adding joy to the composition while remaining architecturally restrained.
The West City spans approximately 286,000m ², about 7.4 % of Cape Town’ s CBD, bordered by Bo-Kaap to the northwest, Tamboerskloof and Gardens to the south and southeast, and the broader City Bowl to the east.
ELEVENONB comprises 151 apartments, ranging from compact studios to luxurious penthouses: 27 Compact Studios, 45 Studios, 10 Compact One-bedroom Apartments, 33 One-bedroom Apartments, 31 Two-bedroom Apartments, 1 Three-bedroom Apartment, and 4 Penthouses. Residents enjoy spectacular views of Table Mountain, Lion’ s Head, Signal Hill, and the city’ s glittering nightlights. Each apartment features high-specification, space-saving joinery and air-conditioning throughout, ensuring comfort, style, and convenience.
Residents also benefit from a dedicated Concierge and Building Manager provided by Fluent, which manages short-term letting, as well as access to modern co-working spaces. The building offers back-up power for all shared areas, 24-hour on-site security, and pet-friendly apartments. Additional amenities include a ground-floor café and shopping arcade, optional parking, a privately run gym, and laundry facilities, all designed to enhance everyday living and support a vibrant, connected urban lifestyle.
18 Project Watch