Work on the Conradie Park mixed-use development in Pinelands, Cape Town, is nearing completion with over 1 250 residential units completed to date. Comprising a mix of open-market housing and grant funded units, the development was designed by dhk Architects, Jakupa Architects and Urban Designers.

Located on the site of the old Conradie Hospital, the project was made possible by the Western Cape Provincial Government’s Better Living Model Game Changer initiative, driven by the Premier’s office, says Mark Schonrock, Property Development at Concor.

“A key directive was to create a mix of tenures including open-market housing and grant-funded or affordable units. This allows the project to cater to different income groups, promoting economic inclusion and improving lives,” he says.

“We were guided by global best practice, drawing inspiration from understanding the developmental context, and referencing urban planning models in cities like Barcelona and Amsterdam,” says Peter Stokes, dhk Architects Partner. “These environments prioritise walkability, security and access to public spaces – which is the approach we have taken at Conradie Park.”

Gabs Pather, a director at Jakupa Architects and Urban Designers, reflects on the many lessons learned throughout the project: “While the approach is in the natural course of development in mature cities, curating the mixed-use, mixed-income neighbourhood required considerable testing and tweaking to ensure the viability of the financial model and the development’s buildability.”

These lessons included managing housing standards and consequential architectural qualities, using architectural expression to blur income disparities. “The result is a very liveable environment for children and adults alike. Watching the neighbourhood come to life brought us endless joy, reinforced by our learnings and the tools we have developed so that the model can be replicated elsewhere,” he says.

One of the defining features of the project, for instance, is the use of perimeter block typology which is aesthetically pleasing and addresses critical issues like safety, accessibility and community interaction.

“The use of perimeter blocks and well-defined streetscapes creates a hierarchy of defensible spaces that enhance a sense of security and connection between residents,” he explains. “We also used landscaping to deliver functional green infrastructure such as surface waterways and swales to act as stormwater channels while also enhancing the aesthetic value of the neighbourhood.”

The project’s mixed-use character facilitates a self-sustaining neighbourhood, with schools, retail spaces, green areas and sports fields giving residents access to essential services on their doorsteps.

Construction on the remaining development – The Pines – will begin in 2025 and will include five residential towers and 12 000 m² of retail space designed for convenience and accessibility. In addition to the retail facility, there will be 2 200 m² allocated to co-working facilities and play areas, 230 open parking spaces at ground level, and 330 covered parking bays on the first floor.

The residential buildings around The Pines will add another 650 units to the Conradie Park complex. Completion is expected in early 2026.