BLACK RIVER PARK
BLACK RIVER PARK, CENTRAL BUILDING
CORPORATE OFFICE REFURBISHMENT
Central Park is a benchmark-setting refurbishment that redefines what’s possible in commercial office transformation. Located in Cape Town’s Black River Park precinct, the project provides a sophisticated and sustainable response to revitalising ageing real estate in a competitive market. Originally a five-storey B-grade office building with efficiency and aesthetic limitations—particularly an underperforming façade and inefficient layout—the structure was reimagined rather than rebuilt. The design team executed a holistic transformation to elevate it to P-grade status, enhancing its identity, environmental performance, and commercial viability. A key intervention addressed the outdated façade.
Ineffective balconies were reduced, enabling more efficient floorplates and increasing rentable area by 1,664m²—bringing the total to 12,762m². This was paired with a high-performance, unitised façade system, which improved insulation and solar control. Inspired by the layered geology of Table Mountain, the aluminium ribbon façade creates a dynamic visual rhythm, giving the building presence and depth. At the heart of the redesign is a vertical ‘urban window’ that punctuates the massing and aids wayfinding. It visually and spatially connects the floors, culminating in a dramatic triple-volume reception. Naturally lit and featuring bespoke glass artworks, the lobby offers a welcoming, memorable arrival experience. Sustainability and wellbeing are central to the design. Targeting a 5-Star Green Star rating, the project includes rainwater harvesting, passive solar design, and upgraded energy- and water-efficient systems. These measures cut operational costs and enhance long-term value. Rooted in context, Central Park supports Black River Park’s identity as a green, high-performance business hub. By choosing refurbishment over new construction, the project preserves embodied carbon while delivering the quality and ambition of a new build. More than a facelift, Central Park is a blueprint for responsible, commercially astute urban renewal—proving that with vision and precision, outdated buildings can be transformed into high-performance assets for both occupants and cities.
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Size: 12,762 m²
Completion Year: Ongoing
Sector: Commercial Offices