The tall and spindly new tower achieves high
density across eleven storeys, with very low
parking provision. Tuynhuys achieved a 29% return
on investment, but its inspired design has also
provided Cape Town with a new icon.
Social Transformation
Cape Town has a land shortage that is unique in
South Africa, with the city’s amenities (natural,
civic and commercial) generally concentrated in
the highly-constricted and densely-developed CBD
and Atlantic suburbs. Tuynhuys turned a derelict,
brown-field inner-city site into well-located and
relatively affordable residential housing units. The
City of Cape Town’s development framework calls
for densification of residential opportunities around
established urban nodes - in the fulfillment of
spatial justice - which is something that Tuynhuys
has achieved.
Tuynhuys initially attracted short-term tourists
and it thus took pressure off of long-term
residential housing stock in other areas - whilst
providing hospitality employment for managers,
cleaners and security personnel. Tuynhuys is now
adapting to long-term occupation and is providing
well located housing opportunities at relatively
affordable prices.
Functionality
Inner city apartment design is all about the
maximisation of views & light; as well as the
competing values of privacy mitigation and the
Tuynhuys 41