Over the past four centuries Cape Town has grown from a small port for passing ships to a bustling, cosmopolitan hub that more than four million people call home. Layers of history, culture and urbanisation live on in the CBD and sprawling city around it.
Says Green Point City Improvement District (GPCID) CEO Marc Truss: “The City Council has made the conservation of the natural and built environments of Cape Town a priority, and we encourage you to the do same – appreciate, protect and be proud of the history in your area.”
Located right near the harbour, Green Point has an incredibly rich heritage, dating back to the 17th Century and the GPCID is honoured to do their bit in this beautiful part of Cape Town, with regular security patrols, cleansing initiatives and area upgrades. There are a number of buildings in the area that have been preserved in their original state and still get used today.
A wonderful example is St Andrew’s Church, which was built in 1828 and held its first service on 24 May 1829. The building has been renovated several times to ensure that it can be preserved and stand in good condition for many decades to come. St Andrew’s Church has had many claims to fame over the past 182 years, including the fact that it was the first English speaking church constructed in Southern Africa; it had a major outreach to the emancipated slaves and was also a venue for the hippie revival in the 1960s and 1970s! In more recent years the church has worked closely with Straatwerk and The Music Academy of St Andrew, a non-profit centre of musical excellence.
When it comes to appreciating architecture, Strand Street is the place to be; it is one of Cape Town’s oldest streets and has an eclectic mix of Victorian, Edwardian and Modern buildings. Some of them have been restored recently, such as the historical building on the corner of Upper Strand Street and Hudson Street, belonging to the City Council Electrical Department. It was built at the start of the 20th Century and starting showing signs of decay several years ago. Due to its historical significance the City of Cape Town awarded a R7.5 million tender for the restoration of the building to a specialist construction company in 2009. The project included breaking down and rebuilding damaged walls, using the same stones in the same positions, adding a new roof and refurbishing it with modern installations, without detracting from the historic ambience.
Another landmark that many residents will be familiar with is Fireman’s Arms, on the corner of Buitengracht Street and Mechau Street. This traditional pub was established in 1864 and apart from a few TV screens and the odd addition to the menu, not much has changed in 147 years. The flags and all sorts of other paraphernalia from the past century that cover the walls and roof are testament to this. There is always a jovial, welcoming atmosphere, with lots of locals around the bar and steaming plates of traditional pub-grub pouring out of the kitchen.
If you’re looking for something a bit further off the beaten track, Vasco da Gama on Alfred Street is worth a visit. Affectionately known as ‘the Portuguese Embassy’ by regulars, this restaurant was established in 1972 as a Men’s Only Portuguese Taverna and only opened its doors to women in 1994. Everything is exactly as it was 40 years ago, from the actual building to the paint, furniture and food, and even some of the barmen. Locals think of it as a home-away-from-home and often pop in for a couple of drinks, the traditional Portuguese food, banter with the waiters and barman, and conversations with the diverse group of people that filter in and out all day long.
This handful of examples demonstrates how important it is for the GPCID to reflect just how rich and diverse our history really is and the protection thereof. Get out and enjoy being a part of our incredible city on Heritage Day.
