Golden Acre (Cape Town)

Golden Acre
General information
Type	Current: shopping mall Future: Mixed-use development with residential and retail space
Location	Adderley Street, Cape Town, Western Cape
Coordinates	33°55′22″S18°25′23″E / 33.9227486°S 18.4231529°E / -33.9227486; 18.4231529
Current tenants	Ackermans, Foschini, PEP, Totalsports, American Swiss, and Capitec, among others
Completed	Shopping mall: 1979;46 years ago (1979)
Opening	Scheduled for 2027;2 years' time (2027)
Renovated	Scheduled for October 2025;1 month's time (2025-10)
Owner	Putirex
Landlord	New building (2027 onwards): Neighbourgood [1]
Technical details
Floor count	24 (2025)
Renovating team
Renovating firm	Gracht Asset Managers (renovation project manager)
Other information
Number of stores	95 (2025) [2]
Parking	~ 800 (2025)
Website
golden-acre.co.za

Golden Acre is a shopping mall on the corner of Adderley and Strand Streets in the central business district of Cape Town, South Africa. ^[3] The building is set to be redeveloped into a mixed-use development, featuring affordable housing and retail space. Construction of the new building is scheduled for October 2025, and it is planned to open in 2027. ^[4]

History

The building was constructed in the 1970s by South African financial services company Sanlam on an old train station site. In 1975, excavations during the construction process revealed remnants of the northern portion of a storage dam built in 1663 where the coast line once was. ^[5]

Shopping mall

Opening in 1979, Golden Acre has served as a shopping mall in Cape Town CBD for decades, and has not been modernized for many years. ^[6]

The mall has over 65,000 square meters of retail space, and around 800 parking bays. ^[7]

Tenants as of July 2020 include Ackermans, Shoprite and Mr Price. ^[8]

Major redevelopment

In February 2025, Golden Acre's sale to Putirex, a joint venture between multiple Cape Town-based property developers, was confirmed by the South African Competition Commission. The mall was sold for R781.5 million. ^[4]

In August 2024, architectural planning began for Golden Acre's redevelopment. The new building is planned to feature residential space, including affordable housing, as well as a 6,000m² communal garden and lifestyle clubhouse for residents. The renovated building will also have a redesigned retail space. ^[7]

Part of the planning is the construction of 414 affordable, semi-serviced, residential rental units, with approximately 300 studios, 1-, and 2-bed units reserved for long-term tenants. The units, intended to be priced at approximately 30% below other residential rental options currently available in Cape Town CBD, will be aimed at young, aspirational employees who are currently commuting into the city on a daily basis. ^[7]

In 2025, Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, welcomed the planned development, stating that it would significantly contribute towards the ongoing revitalization of Cape Town CBD. James Vos, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, said the new building aligned perfectly with the City’s goal of creating an accessible and inclusive urban environment. ^[7]

With contractors confirmed, construction on the new building is set to begin in October 2025, with completion scheduled for 2027. ^[9]

References

1. PropertyWheel_G (27 August 2025). "Golden Acre Complex Redevelopment To Include 414 New Affordable Residential Rental Units". Property Wheel. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
2. "Golden Acre - Stores". Golden Acre. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
3. "Golden Acre - About". Golden Acre. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
4. IOL Reporter (18 August 2025). "Golden Acre Shopping Centre sold: A new chapter for Cape Town's historic site". IOL. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
5. De Wet, Con; Hattingh, Leon; and Visagie, Jan (eds.): Die VOC aan die Kaap, 1652–1795. Pretoria: Protea Boekhuis, 2016. ISBN   978-1-4853-0019-9
6. Ntseku, Mthuthuzeli (10 March 2020). "Golden Acre pedestrian bridge conditions 'have deteriorated". IOL (Independent On Line, South Africa). Retrieved 8 July 2020.
7. "Historic Golden Acre set for major overhaul in Cape Town". Bizcommunity.com. 29 August 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
8. Google Maps, accessed July 5, 2020
9. "Update: Plans unveiled to turn Golden Acre into affordable housing". Cape Town ETC. 29 August 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.

33°55′22″S18°25′23″E / 33.9227486°S 18.4231529°E / -33.9227486; 18.4231529