Golden Acre: Layers of history beneath a Cape Town landmark

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Sara-Jayne Makwala King

15 September 2025 | 4:26

Once the city’s first major shopping centres is set for a bold new chapter — with plans to convert its tower into residential space for young professionals.

Golden Acre: Layers of history beneath a Cape Town landmark

It’s one of Cape Town’s most iconic buildings – the Golden Acre shopping centre located in the heart of the CBD.

It's more than just a retail space, the Golden Acre sits on layers of history. It was one of the city’s very first modern shopping centres and it’s just been sold for R780 million.

The plan is to convert the commercial tower into residential accommodation, attracting young executives.

RELATED: Golden Acre tower to be redeveloped into 414 residential units by 2027

Dr Andre van Graan is a conservation architect and researcher who’s spent years studying the evolution of modern architecture in Cape Town.

"It occupies a unique position, hence the fact it is referred to as the Golden Acre."
- Dr Andre van Graan, Conservation Architect and Researcher 

Golden Acre was built in the 1970s by Sanlam, and was a pioneering shopping centre for the Mother City.

"This underground shopping centre - what it actually did - was connect everybody going from the station, to shops and that was an amazing thing for the time."
- Dr Andre van Graan, Conservation Architect and Researcher  

The Golden Acre is located on the site of Cape Town's first railway station, which was built in 1861.

"Here was a building which actually encouraged people to come together."
- Dr Andre van Graan, Conservation Architect and Researcher 
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