PROJECT
Early in 2025, the reimagined building reopened in the heart of the Waterfront with newly designed public squares to its sides. These serve as meeting points, turning what was a crowded location into a vibrant social hub. Today it is home to global retail brands and eateries as well as a first-floor office suite for a prestigious clothing retailer, while a glassed pavilion restaurant tops the building.
“ The core goal was to restore and celebrate the building’ s legacy and historical value, ensuring its preservation. The project demonstrates how architectural heritage and digital transformation can coexist and thrive, honouring the past while embracing the future,” says Niaz Ahmed, Development Director on the project and a driving force behind how the site would be redeveloped during the planning stage. Ahmed and his colleague, team project manager Migyle Stevens, played a key role in the planning and implementation of the project in their roles as the Waterfront’ s dedicated retail project managers.
Niaz Ahmed and Migyle Stevens in the mall.
The core goal was to restore and celebrate the building’ s legacy and historical value, ensuring its preservation.
The virtual fulcrum
The redeveloped site, including the nextdoor Forum buildings, is said to act as the fulcrum of some major precincts and routes within the Waterfront – indeed, at the very heart of the precinct.
“ Breathing new life and purpose into historical buildings and spaces is something that the V & A Waterfront has done particularly well over the years. A big focus of the redevelopment was to reaffirm the space around the UCB as the focus point of the property and the natural starting point from which visitors can explore the Waterfront,” says David Green, outgoing CEO of the V & A Waterfront.
Double volume to core of the 1st floor plate, note also the H & M Retailers office suite on 1st floor.
“ The UCB is a very rigid structure which does not naturally lend itself to feeling open, fluid and welcoming. The new design sees traffic flow gently coerced to explore what the building and its surrounding spaces have to offer.”
www. tobuild. co. za | autumn 2026 27