One on Bree: A New Landmark Rising in Cape Town’s CBD

Cape Town’s skyline is changing once again. One on Bree, a major mixed-use development currently under construction in the heart of the Cape Town CBD, is set to become the city’s second-tallest building upon completion. Rising 131 metres above street level and spanning 41 storeys, the development represents one of the most significant property investments currently underway in the city centre. Located at the intersection of Bree Street and Hans Strijdom Avenue, One on Bree combines hospitality, residential, and retail components within a single development. The project is expected to play an important role in the continued growth of Cape Town’s CBD while supporting tourism, residential demand, and the broader mixed-use evolution of the city centre.

A Major Investment in Cape Town’s Future

Developed by Acsion Limited, a Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed property company, One on Bree reflects growing investor confidence in Cape Town’s long-term prospects. The development forms part of a broader trend towards high-density mixed-use projects that combine living, working, and leisure opportunities within central urban environments. The project will deliver approximately 66,000 m² of built space, incorporating 505 hotel rooms, 270 residential apartments, and roughly 4,000 m² of retail space. This scale places One on Bree among the largest developments currently underway within the Cape Town CBD. For many years, Cape Town has experienced strong demand for residential accommodation and hotel inventory, particularly within the city centre and surrounding tourism precincts. One on Bree aims to address part of this demand by introducing significant new accommodation stock into the market.

Strategic Location in the Cape Town CBD

Location remains one of the project’s strongest advantages. Bree Street has evolved into one of Cape Town’s most vibrant urban corridors, attracting residents, tourists, hospitality operators, and businesses alike. The development sits within walking distance of:

• The Cape Town International Convention Centre
• The Foreshore business district
• The V&A Waterfront
• Long Street
• Greenmarket Square
• Cape Town Station
• Major MyCiTi transport routes

This connectivity places residents, hotel guests, and visitors within easy reach of many of Cape Town’s key attractions and commercial centres. The location also benefits from direct access to major transport infrastructure linking the CBD to the N1, N2, Atlantic Seaboard, Southern Suburbs, and Cape Town International Airport.

Supporting Cape Town’s Growing Tourism Sector

One of the most significant aspects of One on Bree is its hotel component. Cape Town continues to attract growing numbers of domestic and international visitors. The city remains one of Africa’s leading tourism destinations, supported by its natural attractions, business travel market, cruise tourism sector, and conference industry. Despite strong tourism growth, relatively few large-scale hotel developments have been completed in the Cape Town CBD over recent years. The addition of 505 hotel rooms will help address accommodation demand while supporting future tourism growth. The development’s location places guests within easy reach of the city’s major tourism attractions while maintaining direct access to commercial and business districts. As tourism numbers continue to increase, developments such as One on Bree become increasingly important in supporting the city’s hospitality infrastructure.

Residential Demand Continues to Drive CBD Growth

The residential component of One on Bree reflects another major trend shaping Cape Town’s property market. The CBD has evolved significantly over the past decade. Once viewed primarily as a commercial district, the city centre now supports a growing residential population. New apartment developments, residential conversions, and mixed-use projects have helped create a more active urban environment that extends beyond traditional office hours.

The addition of 270 residential apartments at One on Bree contributes to this ongoing transformation. Many professionals, investors, and lifestyle-focused buyers continue to seek residential opportunities within the CBD due to proximity to employment hubs, entertainment districts, restaurants, and transport infrastructure. The continued growth of the residential market also supports broader economic activity by increasing foot traffic, retail demand, and activity throughout the city centre.

Preserving Heritage While Embracing Modern Design

One of the more interesting aspects of the project is the integration of an existing heritage building into the overall development. Rather than removing the historic structure entirely, the development incorporates elements of the building into the new design. This approach reflects a growing trend within urban development where heritage preservation and modern construction are combined to create more balanced outcomes. The glass façade and contemporary architectural design contrast with the historic elements, creating a project that acknowledges the area’s history while contributing to the future skyline of Cape Town. This balance between preservation and development remains an important consideration as the city continues to densify and evolve.

Bree Street’s Continued Transformation

The success of One on Bree is closely linked to the broader evolution of Bree Street itself. Over the past fifteen years, Bree Street has transformed from a traditional city thoroughfare into one of Cape Town’s most popular lifestyle destinations. The area has attracted restaurants, coffee shops, bars, boutique retailers, residential developments, and hospitality operators.

Today, Bree Street is widely recognised as one of the city’s leading urban destinations for both locals and visitors. The addition of One on Bree will further strengthen the precinct by introducing additional residents, visitors, retail activity, and hospitality demand into the area. Developments of this scale often have a multiplier effect on surrounding businesses, increasing pedestrian activity and supporting continued investment within the precinct.

Sustainability and Modern Building Standards

Modern property developments increasingly focus on sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental performance. One on Bree incorporates eco-friendly materials and technology aimed at improving operational efficiency while reducing environmental impact. While sustainability initiatives continue to evolve throughout the project lifecycle, these features align with broader trends within the commercial and residential property sectors. Developers increasingly recognise that energy efficiency, resource management, and environmental performance contribute to long-term asset value while meeting growing expectations from investors, residents, and occupants. As Cape Town continues to face infrastructure challenges and environmental pressures, sustainable building practices are likely to become increasingly important within future developments.

Rooftop Amenities and Lifestyle Appeal

Lifestyle amenities have become a key component of modern mixed-use developments. One on Bree includes a rooftop swimming pool located on the 22nd floor, providing panoramic views across Cape Town, Table Mountain, the harbour, and surrounding cityscape. Amenities such as these play an important role in attracting residents and visitors who increasingly seek developments that offer more than accommodation alone.

Modern mixed-use projects are designed to create complete lifestyle environments where residents and visitors can access leisure, hospitality, and retail experiences within a single destination. This approach aligns with changing consumer preferences and supports the broader trend towards integrated urban living.

What One on Bree Means for the Cape Town Property Market

The development of One on Bree sends a positive signal to the broader Cape Town property market. Large-scale projects require significant capital investment, long-term planning, and confidence in future market conditions. The commencement of construction demonstrates confidence in the continued growth of Cape Town as a destination for tourism, investment, and urban living. The project also supports broader municipal objectives around densification, urban regeneration, and mixed-use development within the city centre. As additional residents, visitors, and businesses move into the CBD, the area continues to strengthen its position as one of South Africa’s leading commercial and lifestyle destinations.

Looking Ahead

Construction activity at One on Bree marks the beginning of another chapter in Cape Town’s urban development story. Upon completion, the tower will stand as one of the city’s most recognisable buildings and a prominent feature of the skyline. More importantly, the project represents the continued evolution of the Cape Town CBD into a modern mixed-use environment that supports tourism, residential growth, retail activity, and economic development. For investors, developers, businesses, and residents, One on Bree highlights the ongoing confidence in Cape Town’s future. As the city continues to attract investment and population growth, developments of this scale will play an increasingly important role in shaping the urban landscape for years to come.