The Harrington

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The East city precinct has silently grown in popularity with creatives and corporates alike. Earmarked by the city as a special design and development district, the Cape Town coffee capital has slowly been cultivating its culture with major role players such as Haas and the steampunk inspired Truth claiming their piece of the sidewalk. Cultural bodies such as the Cape Town City Hall, the Central Library and the District 6 Museum have been drawing locals and tourists alike to the area while the Cape Technicon has ensured that the area is fueled by a steady flow of fresh intellectual capital. Bree street and the foreshore have been taking the lion’s share of the spotlight, but competitive property prices and potential is what drew the attention of the Blend Property Group to this sector of the city.

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The project involves the refurbishment of Harrington House, an existing 7 storey building in the East City of Cape Town which fronts onto Barrack, Buitenkant & Harrington streets. The 1^st to 5^th storeys of the mixed use development will contain the 10 000m2+ commercial component while 800m2+ of ground storey street frontage will house various eateries, coffee shops and retail initiatives.

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While there is parking in the building The Harrington takes a progressive stance towards commuting with end-of-trip facilities such as showers, lockers and change rooms provided for tenants and visitors.

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The architectural components of the refurbishment are respectfully reminiscent of the history of the area with the introduction of an architectural moulding relating to the art-deco movement characteristic of this part of Cape Town. The addition to the new main entrance, leading off Harrington Street acknowledges the scatter of Cape Victorian architecture and their scale, New York Bagel and Barnett Fair, in a contemporary aesthetic.

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The layering of elements signifies the connection between the historical layers of the area and the current day while the use of clip-on metal screens and pop-out elements, aluminium glazing and contrasting shades of the façade lend a contemporary edge.

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Inside the main foyer executives as well as young creatives are greeted by a display of contemporary art, while a green wall softens the raw honest framework of the existing structure. Interventions by local graffiti artists and colourful neon signage elicit nostalgic emotions, while the floor which ramps up, impersonating the streetscape, draws passers-by into the building.

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