In 2009, Peerutin Architects were approached by cape-based Sandak-Lewin Developments to design a stand alone, upmarket residential development scheme across 3 consolidated residential sites in this prime location.
The ultra-contemporary, 7-storey Apartment block comprises of 66 Sectional Title Apartments and over 130 parking bays in two basements. The units range in size from 50m2 to about 170m2. These include unique garden studios at Ground level to extraordinary 2 and 3 bed penthouses. A rooftop entertainment area and swimming pool complete the offering The building offers a paired-down simplicity, where simple white walls are offset by the muted greys of the aluminum fenestration and balustrades and the contrasting chocolate-brown sliding shutters, that arranged randomly by individual owners, will balance the modular nature of the main facades.
Context
The site is the consolidation of 4 separate residential erven resulting in a total site area of 2364m2. It is flat and rectangular in shape spanning North-South with the long side facing East and West respectively. It is bounded on 3 sides by Herschel Close on the North, Herschel Road on the South and partially on Oak Avenue to the East. Significant neighbours include Herschel Private School for Girls, a 7-storey Block of Flats next door. It is within 5 minutes’ walking distance to the popular Cavendish Square Shopping Centre and is extremely well placed for UCT and other leading schools. The site enjoys panoramic views over the bowling greens to the West towards the Table Mountain Reserve that overlooks the Southern Suburbs.
Conclusion
Designing a 7-storey building in the heart of a low-to-medium rise residential neighbourhood will always pose significant challenges. Balancing the developer’s needs for acceptable profits relative to the risks they are taking and delivering desirable products to the market while at the same time producing a building that is met with a universally positive response is the main challenge. The Herschel is a tall, elegant and bold attempt to address these issues directly