Inner-city housing development of substantial scale spearheaded by Premier Winde and Minister Simmers in Cape Town
The Founders Garden, a significant mixed-use, mixed-income housing development worth over R2 billion, has been unveiled in the heart of Cape Town's central business district (CBD). This high-rise project, located next to the iconic Artscape Theatre Centre, will provide approximately 2,630 residential units, making it the largest inner-city housing development in the CBD to date[1][3][4][5].
The development, which consists of approximately 1,476 social housing units and 1,162 open market units, is the second of three major inner-city developments planned for this year in Cape Town[1]. The project was officially launched on July 25, 2025, by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and Minister of Infrastructure Tertius Simmers[1][4].
The Founders Garden aims to create a vibrant urban community by combining affordable social housing with market-rate residential units and integrated public services, contributing substantially to addressing housing shortages within the city centre[2][3]. The development is part of the Western Cape Government’s accelerated program to deliver mixed-use affordable housing within Cape Town’s inner city[1].
The Founders Garden development is strategically located, offering residents easy access to key public amenities such as an Early Childhood Development Centre, as well as being within walking distance of major transport hubs like the Cape Town Railway Station and MyCiti Civic Centre Station, and health services[1].
Minister Simmers emphasized the importance of delivering affordable, dignified housing opportunities on public land[6]. The tender to procure a developer and a social housing institution for the Founders Garden development was advertised on July 25, 2025[7].
This development is a model of infrastructure development that the Western Cape Government aims to replicate[8]. By bringing services, housing, and recreation closer to communities, the Founders Garden development will enhance access to economic opportunities for residents[9].
Premier Winde and Minister Simmers previously unveiled the Leeuloop development in the CBD, offering 840 housing opportunities[10]. With the Founders Garden development, they continue to demonstrate their commitment to addressing Cape Town's housing needs and creating vibrant, sustainable communities.
[1] News24. (2025). Founders Garden: R2bn mixed-use, mixed-income development announced for Cape Town CBD. [online] Available at: https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/founders-garden-r2bn-mixed-use-mixed-income-development-announced-for-cape-town-cbd-20250725
[2] Cape Times. (2025). Founders Garden: Affordable housing development unveiled in Cape Town CBD. [online] Available at: https://www.capetimes.co.za/news/founders-garden-affordable-housing-development-unveiled-in-cape-town-cbd/
[3] IOL. (2025). Founders Garden: R2bn development to provide 2,630 housing opportunities in Cape Town CBD. [online] Available at: https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/founders-garden-r2bn-development-to-provide-2630-housing-opportunities-in-cape-town-cbd-e7e1d0f7
[4] Cape Argus. (2025). Founders Garden: R2bn development to provide 2,630 housing opportunities in Cape Town CBD. [online] Available at: https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/founders-garden-r2bn-development-to-provide-2630-housing-opportunities-in-cape-town-cbd-e7e1d0f7
[5] GroundUp. (2025). Founders Garden: R2bn development to provide 2,630 housing opportunities in Cape Town CBD. [online] Available at: https://www.groundup.org.za/article/founders-garden-r2bn-development-to-provide-2630-housing-opportunities-in-cape-town-cbd/
[6] News24. (2025). Minister Simmers emphasises the importance of delivering affordable, dignified housing opportunities on public land. [online] Available at: https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/minister-simmers-emphasises-the-importance-of-delivering-affordable-dignified-housing-opportunities-on-public-land-20250725
[7] GroundUp. (2025). Tender for R2bn Founders Garden development in Cape Town CBD goes to market. [online] Available at: https://www.groundup.org.za/article/tender-for-r2bn-founders-garden-development-in-cape-town-cbd-goes-to-market/
[8] News24. (2025). Founders Garden: R2bn development to provide 2,630 housing opportunities in Cape Town CBD. [online] Available at: https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/founders-garden-r2bn-development-to-provide-2630-housing-opportunities-in-cape-town-cbd-20250725
[9] Cape Times. (2025). Founders Garden: Affordable housing development unveiled in Cape Town CBD. [online] Available at: https://www.capetimes.co.za/news/founders-garden-affordable-housing-development-unveiled-in-cape-town-cbd/
[10] News24. (2025). Leeuloop precinct: 840 housing opportunities go out to tender in Cape Town CBD. [online] Available at: https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/leeuloop-precinct-840-housing-opportunities-go-out-to-tender-in-cape-town-cbd-20250712
- The Founders Garden development, worth over R2 billion, is anticipated to boost infrastructure in the city, with transportation improvements and access to key public amenities like the Early Childhood Development Centre, the Cape Town Railway Station, MyCiti Civic Centre Station, and health services.
- The Western Cape Government is leveraging finance to deliver mixed-use affordable housing within the inner city, with projects like the Founders Garden development and the Leeuloop development, which offered 840 housing opportunities, demonstrating their commitment to addressing housing needs and creating vibrant, sustainable communities.
- With the Founders Garden development and announced inner-city developments, industry players may find potential growth opportunities in real-estate investing and partnering with local governments to create integrated communities that balance market-rate residential units, affordable housing, and public services.
