Those who commute by train may have seen all the closure notices throughout the lower sections of the Cape Town Station, near Adderley Street. If you were wondering what’s happening there, wonder no more. IOL reports that the train station is set to get a R1-billion upgrade, in the form of a 120-room hotel, as well as an office and retail complex on the western portion of the property.
A commercial development has been on the cards for a while now. Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) invited development partners to undertake and manage the redevelopment of portions of Cape Town Station in 2010, and it has finally come to fruition. The plans still have to be approved, but if they are, a consortium of three property developers will be involved.
Cape Town station set for R1bn facelift https://t.co/HRAV2W5Y2A | Independent Online pic.twitter.com/jop3yJfLpN
— IOL News (@IOL) July 18, 2016
As someone who used to take the train regularly, I am of two minds about this proposed development. While new developments do mean new job opportunities and income for the city, image the congestion around the station during the building phase. Walking or driving on Adderley is already a nightmare, add construction to the mix and it will be downright unbearable.
Also, hundreds (if not thousands) of people pass through the station every day. How will this affect the people trying to get to work? Will more people have to cross over Adderley Street rather than walk under it? There are a lot of questions that will probably only be answered when the development is approved and plans are drawn up.
Apocalypse on Cape Town station. pic.twitter.com/8GpmTU9gYI
— Morné ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (@TimeLord_91) April 22, 2016
In other development news, World Casino News reports that Tsogo Sun Holdings has a number of projects lined up, including a new casino in Cape Town. When, where and how this will happen has not be been revealed, but as soon as we know, we’ll spread the word.
There is a good and bad side to any development, but considering the world class status and numerous honours the city has recently received, it seems building new spaces that benefit tourists and locals is a good idea. What do you think?
Photography courtesy
