Cape Town is about to get a serious new skyline addition, and if you’ve driven past the corner of Bree and Strand Streets lately, you might’ve noticed something brewing.
After more than a decade of speculation, renderings, and planning approvals that never quite materialised, it looks like construction is finally starting on what will become Cape Town’s second-tallest skyscraper – One on Bree – surpassed only by the FNB Portside Tower. And trust me, I’ve been watching this site like a hawk for over ten years, so seeing actual demolition activity begin this month feels momentous.
So what exactly is coming?
The development, unofficially dubbed Acsiopolis 2 online, is a 41-storey mixed-use skyscraper that will bring:
- 505 hotel rooms
- 270 residential apartments
- 4 000m2 of retail space
- A rooftop swimming pool on the 22nd floor
According to the lead architect, the building will rise to an estimated 131 metres, and the construction area will total around 66 000m2. That’s no small feat for the Cape Town CBD, especially in a post-COVID property climate where significant new hotel developments have been few and far between.
For one, this will be one of the only major hotel developments in the inner city in the past five years. Which is a surprise, considering Cape Town’s surging tourism demand and limited large-scale accommodation in the CBD itself.
And then there’s the design. What stood out to me immediately was how the team managed to integrate the historic (heritage) corner building into the modern glass façade of the new tower. It’s an architectural balancing act that, when done right, adds character to a city instead of erasing it.
The location is prime as you are steps away from Bree Street’s best restaurants, bars and coffee spots and walking distance to the Waterfront, the Foreshore, and the business district.
Who’s behind it?
The project has been referred to online as Acsiopolis 2 - likely a nod to the original Acsiopolis development in Sandton. From what I know, the developer is listed on the JSE and has a strong track record in South Africa and Cyprus, with a portfolio that spans light industrial, retail, and mixed-use assets.
Now, with BDM (Building Development Management) approval officially granted and parts of the old structure being dismantled, it feels like Cape Town’s next skyscraper is finally coming to life.
And yes - it’s going to change the skyline in a big way.