The development aims to celebrate South Africa's ability to talk itself out of bloody racial conflict and into democracy. It will be an engine of growth and transformation for downtown Johannesburg, and a place where visitors can feel, safely, the beat of this vibrant but often inaccessible city.
Constitution Hill comprises:
- The Constitutional Court
- Accommodation for the Constitutional Commissions
- Commercial space (36 000m2) for related commercial, retail and hospitality activities
In addition, the development will create 1 730 super-basement parking bays, bus and taxi holding and drop-off facilities, upgraded peripheral roads and internal streets, a visitors' information and exhibition centre, new museums and related heritage and tourism activities, approximately 200 rental residential units, community facilities and public open spaces.
The R460-million public sector spend on this development will leverage an estimated similar private sector investment amount to complete the initiative.
The Constitutional Court
The development of the new national Constitutional Court will be the primary architectural and symbolic focus of Constitution Hill.
The court and its associated facilities occupies 8 178m2 over three storeys. This development involved the construction of:
- The court chambers, interpreters' booths and foyers;
- The judges' chambers and private garden;
- Constitution Square and The Great African Steps
- The administration offices, and
- The constitutional law library, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.
Read more about the Constitutional Court
Heritage facilities
The heritage buildings on the site provide another key focus for the development.
Over time, these buildings will be carefully repaired, restored and renovated to be used as museum and exhibition spaces:
- The renovation of the Old Fort to accommodate a variety of distinct functions, as well as the allocation of 5 500m2 for exhibition and museum space;
- The refurbishment and adaptation of Section Four and Section Five (the "Native" Prison), to become a museum space and place of reflection and contemplation;
- The renovation of the Old Governor's House to accommodate improved community facilities, and
- The rehabilitation of the Old Fort and its ramparts, which will provide a powerful vantage point over the campus and Johannesburg.
- The adaptation of the Women's Gaol to become a museum space.
Read more about the Awaiting Trial Block
Read more about Section Four and Five
Read more about the Women's Gaol
