The City of Cape Town has prioritised the development of the old Conradie Hospital precinct which has lain dormant for more than 16 years.

The ‘Conradie Better Living Model’ is a redevelopment initiative undertaken by the Western Cape Government to provide affordable housing to locals. The dilapidated and disused area, which is 22 hectares in size, is due to be converted into an integrated, sustainable, and affordable residentially-led, mixed-use neighbourhood.

Conradie Hospital grounds get a new lease on life

The abandoned Conradie Hospital, which is nestled between Thornton and Pinelands, will be revitalised by the construction of 3602 houses‚ two schools and a commercial centre.

For the past 16 years, the derelict Conradie Hospital has been a thorn in the side of local government and nearby residents alike. The modest homes, which once housed hospital staff, have been stripped away. The hospital grounds have become overgrown by wild vegetation.

This is all set to change, should the sale of the land, to Concor Construction, be approved following a public participation process which ends on 14 November. The land is being sold for R202-million and will cost Concur Construction R3 billion to develop.

Affordable housing, schools and public services

The schools planned for construction on the land will accommodate 800 pupils each and are perfectly positioned to make use of the nearby rail infrastructure and public transport via Voortrekker Road.

Local government has also promised to provide safe public spaces, including parks and well-designed recreational areas. The City of Cape Town is also considering expanding the MyCiti bus route to service the residents which will call the ‘Conradie Better Living Model’ home.

Commenting on the residential and commercial makeup of the new development, local government said:

“The Department of Human Settlements has indicated that, out of the more than 3000 residential units built, 49% of the residential development must be allocated to grant-funded housing, which will consist of social housing, FLISP (Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme) housing and rent-to-buy housing units. The remaining 51% of the residential units will be made available to the open market. This proposed development will offer 10 000m² of retail space and 14 500m² of commercial space, which will stimulate small business growth in the area.”

Better Living Game Changer

The Conradie Better Living Model is one of seven Game Changers implemented by local government to uplift underutilised areas in and around the metro, but providing affordable and sustainable opportunities to residents, thereby creating a more inclusive Cape Town. Local government confirmed that the Conradie project is aimed at setting the standard for these Game Changer developments, saying:

“The proposed Better Living Model Game Changer will assist in alleviating this problem by creating affordable, integrated housing opportunities close to the Cape Town CBD. The project could also serve as a blueprint for how we can unlock the economic potential of state-owned property in the future. We believe the Better Living Game Changer could also serve as a model for other municipalities faced with similar apartheid-era spatial challenges.”

The old Conradie Hospital

The Conradie Hospital was opened in 1938 and was, at one stage, one of the top treatment centres for Spinal Neurodegenerative Disease. The hospital was initially built to serve military personnel, but was eventually opened to the public.

Conradie Hospital officially closed its doors in 2002. Staff and patients were transferred to Lentegeur Hospital in Mitchell’s Plain.