Under development by Rapfund, Three Arts Village is a convenience retail centre, positioned to elevate the retail offering of Plumstead. Three Arts Theatre originally development by the Quibell brothers has seen an ever-evolving palimpsest of uses and stories through time. It was enormously important to both the Client and Architects that the re-design pay homage to this rich history, and re-invent a Capetonian landmark for continued use well into the 21st Century, in a sustainable and holistic manner.
To do this as much of the existing reinforced concrete shell was retained and strengthened, to maintain the iconic “shed”. The expansions beyond this historical core, are imagined as a series of black face brick boxes that would punch through and fulfil the 7400m² retail offering. The retail environment is split over two levels to activate and accentuate the volume of the original “shed”, with the circulation core forming the centre piece of the composition. The composition’s legibility is further advanced by the softer more curvilinear geometry of the parking deck to clearly delineate the old and new.
The use of raw exposed concrete and steel offset against finer details of the retail palette combine to form a sophisticated industrial aesthetic, both on trend and with a robust longevity. The original theatre projectors and other key historic pieces have been retained and given centre stage in the re-development.
Flexibility in size and adaptability of tenancies is key to ensure the continued evolution of the retail mix, and this is achieved through a new large span first floor coffer deck and new reinforced concrete columns.
The development undertook to rehabilitate and protect the river bank of Diep River contained within the site, with extensive regrading and planting. Key food and beverage offerings have been positioned along the Northern elevation to take advantage of the views towards Diep River and of Table Mountain. The three mature Ficus trees along Main Road Plumstead are retained and incorporated into the development forming the key feature piece of the Main Road pedestrian and vehicular entrance. The larger context has been interrogated with the upgrading and signalisation of Main Road, the redevelopment of a more pedestrian orientated Francis road interface and the upgrading of traffic and pedestrian access along Birmingham Road.
The project is completed and currently trading.
Meet The Team
Client: Rapfund
Principle Agent: SVRSA
Architect: KMH Architects
Landscape Architect: cndv landscape architecture
Structural and civil engineers: Sutherland
Electrical engineers: Watson Mattheus
Traffic engineers: HHO
Quantity Surveyor: SVRSA
Mechanical, wet and fire safety consultants: Meccanitek
Suppliers
Lighting
Regent Lighting – 011 474 0171
