32 on Kloof forms part of the historic Longkloof Precinct in Cape Town. The precinct incorporates six adjoining erven acquired by Growthpoint Properties between 2010 and 2024, with an accumulated site area of 16,500m². The precinct was previously landlocked with minimal street frontages and restricted public access to commercial buildings. It had become fragmented, lacking spatial cohesion and connectivity. Growthpoint envisioned Longkloof as one of the most important creative hubs within the city; an attractive address for innovative businesses within a vibrant mixed-use precinct.

The client brief for this catalytic adaptive reuse project was to increase premium rentable space maximises the floorplates and revive the windowless basement. The scheme established 32on Kloof as the attractive front face of the greater precinct, which is concealed from Kloof Street.

Given its origins, the building was subject to heritage conditions. designed in 1922by prominent architecture firm Parker & Forsyth for the United Tobacco Company (South) Limited (UTC), it originally housed the administration department and was one of several buildings that formed the UTC campus.

Our design response was conceived to respect the original building’s heritage and intentionally contrast its existing form with a new contemporary addition. This concept allows for an honest dialogue between heritage and contemporary elements, introducing a contrasting order and rhythm and forming a hybrid of architecture that politely enhances the building’s street presence.

An existing hipped red-tiled roof had been added in a renovation during the 1990s. This was removed to allow for a two-storey orthogonal addition above the heritage masonry building. The two distinct levels provide a clear distinction between old and new. This references but does not replicate the building’s heritage. The addition increased the building height and increased the extent of commercial space. The glazed façade showcases the property’s postcard views of Table Mountain and the City Bowl.

A two-storey annexe building had been constructed behind the building during the 1990s. In our scheme, this annexe was demolished and the existing courtyard was aligned with the basement level, creating a welcoming new public space.

A contemporary glass-clad lift and stair core was inserted into the sunken courtyard, stitched into the footprint of the heritage building. Relocating the vertical circulation from inside to out expanded the required floor space within the main building footprint and created an open-plan layout to tenancies. This maximised the usability and quality of the rentable office area without detracting value from the historic building.

Overall, the redevelopment of 32 on Kloof respectfully enhances the streetscape of Kloof Street. It creates frontage for the Longkloof Precinct behind it, and protects, preserves and celebrates the heritage of the building by marrying the historical context with the more contemporary interventions. Popular co-working brand Workshop 17 now occupies the building, giving emerging creative and tech-focused businesses a world-class building in a spectacular setting.