Leaders Winde and Simmers initiate the largest inner-city residential construction project in Cape Town
The Founders Garden development, a significant mixed-use affordable housing project, has been unveiled in Cape Town's city centre, marking a major step towards addressing the demand for affordable housing within the inner city. Located adjacent to the Artscape Theatre Centre, the development is set to be a model of infrastructure development that the Western Cape Government aims to replicate [1][2][3][4][5].
The R2 billion+ project spans over 2.2 hectares and will consist of a total of 2,638 residential units. These units will be divided between 1,476 social housing rental units for households earning less than R22,000 per month and 1,162 open-market units [1][3][4][5]. The development will be structured around four 16-storey blocks and will feature amenities such as an early childhood development centre and a publicly accessible garden area [1][2][3][4][5].
The development's strategic location places it within walking distance of the Cape Town Railway Station, the MyCiti Civic Centre Station, and health services, enhancing public transport access for residents [1]. This proximity to essential services and transport hubs is a key aspect of the development's design, which prioritizes delivering housing opportunities closer to places of employment, transport, and economic nodes [1].
Minister Tertius Simmers, in his statement, emphasized the importance of using public-owned land for the benefit of the people and delivering affordable, dignified housing. Premier Alan Winde also highlighted the Founders Garden development as a model that the Western Cape Government will strive to replicate [1][3].
The development process began six years ago, and as of July 2025, the Western Cape Government has initiated the process of appointing a developer to build the project [1][3][4][5]. Other key partners involved include the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA), which will provide once-off subsidies to support social housing, and government officials such as Premier Alan Winde and Minister Tertius Simmers [1][3].
The Founders Garden development is not the only inner-city project planned for this year. It is the second of three major developments, with the Leeuloop Precinct, which offers 840 housing opportunities, already going out to tender [1]. Together, these projects represent an approach to affordable housing development that aims to bring services, housing, and recreation closer to communities, promoting spatial justice, empowering communities, and creating job and economic opportunities for all [1][2][3][4][5].
In summary, the Founders Garden development is a significant step towards addressing the demand for affordable housing in Cape Town's inner city. The development's strategic location, extensive amenities, and focus on social housing make it a key project in the Western Cape Government's efforts to deliver affordable, dignified housing where it is needed the most [1][2][3][4][5].
| Aspect | Details | |------------------------|----------------------------------------------| | Location | Adjacent to Artscape Theatre, Cape Town Foreshore | | Size | 2.2 hectares | | Investment | R2 billion+ | | Total Units | 2,638+ (1,476 social housing + 1,162 open market) | | Building Structure | Four 16-storey blocks | | Amenities | Early childhood development centre, garden | | Target Beneficiaries | Social housing units for households earning < R22,000/month | | Development Status | Developer appointment process started in 2025 | | Partners | Western Cape Government, Social Housing Regulatory Authority, provincial leadership |
References: [1] Western Cape Government. (2025). Founders Garden development to address affordable housing demand. Retrieved from https://www.westerncape.gov.za/news/founders-garden-development-to-address-affordable-housing-demand [2] News24. (2025). Founders Garden development launched in Cape Town. Retrieved from https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/founders-garden-development-launched-in-cape-town-20250725 [3] Cape Times. (2025). Founders Garden development to provide affordable housing in Cape Town. Retrieved from https://www.capetimes.co.za/news/western-cape/founders-garden-development-to-provide-affordable-housing-in-cape-town/ [4] IOL. (2025). Founders Garden development to bring services, housing, and recreation closer to communities. Retrieved from https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/western-cape/founders-garden-development-to-bring-services-housing-and-recreation-closer-to-communities-1.11002956 [5] BusinessTech. (2025). Founders Garden development: A model of infrastructure development in the Western Cape. Retrieved from https://businesstech.co.za/news/infrastructure/361367/founders-garden-development-a-model-of-infrastructure-development-in-the-western-cape/
- To fund the extensive infrastructure development and construction costs of the Founders Garden project, significant financing arrangements will be necessary, possibly through a combination of public and private investments in real-estate.
- The strategic location of the Founders Garden development, near essential services, transport hubs, and economic nodes, not only benefits the residents but also offers potential for businesses to thrive, as it fosters an accessible and vibrant community.
- As the Founders Garden development sets the standard for affordable housing, infrastructure development, and investment in the Western Cape, it is crucial for the government to explore opportunities for replicating this model across other regions, thereby addressing similar housing demands nationwide.
