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Historic theatre spearheads the restoration of Hillbrow
Windybrow Arts & Heritage Improvement Programme
The Windybrow Theatre and Hillbrow skyline
© Ryan James/Darling Lama Productions
Did you know?
120 End Street, developed by the Affordable Housing Company, is the largest commercial-to-residential conversion in the southern hemisphere.
Historic Hillbrow used to be Old Doornfontein, a township laid out on the western end of the Doornfontein farm in 1887. Now called New Doornfontein, the area at the bottom end of Hillbrow is to be developed into a new cultural precinct.
The Windybrow Arts & Heritage Improvement Programme encompasses the area around Saratoga Avenue and End Street, as well as Nugget and Pietersen streets where the Windybrow Centre for the Arts is located.
As well as infrastructure improvements to the area, architectural landmarks, both old and new, will be restored and revamped, starting with Windybrow Theatre, a heritage-listed Victorian house built in 1896.
The cultural precinct's sponsors are confident that the rehabilitation of the theatre complex will act as a catalyst, spurring improvements in surrounding neighbourhoods. In so doing, historic Hillbrow will once again become attractive to theatre-goers, business professionals and city residents.
Improvements to the Windybrow Theatre include the revamp of 3 adjacent buildings and the creation of several pedestrian walkways around the theatre complex.
These, in turn, will link to other urban improvement projects, like nearby 120 End Street, a former office block. The 32-storey high-rise has been converted into 924 modern, affordable residential apartments with walk-through access to a 10 000m2 ground-level shopping centre.
Another landmark in historic Hillbrow, the Catholic cathedral Christ the King, will link via walkways to the theatre. Dedicated in 1960, the church has beautiful stained glass windows and is a meeting place for newcomers from Africa to Johannesburg.
The Chancery around the church comprises a collection of art deco halls and a historic Moth Hall, some of which are heritage protected. Under the auspices of the Catholic Archdiocese of Johannesburg, the complex will be revamped at a cost of R30-million.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Windybrow Theatre
Tel: +27 (0) 11 720 0003
Past Experiences
Tel: +27 (0) 11 678 3905
Email: past.experiences@hotmail.com
Web: www.pastexperiences.co.za
Parktown & Westcliff Heritage Trust
Tel: +27 (0) 11 482 3349
Email: parktown@intekom.co.za
How to get here
The Windybrow Centre for the Arts is on the corner of Nugget and Pietersen streets in New Doornfontein. Catch a public bus, a taxi or use the Reya Vaya rapid bus transit system, and get off at the Doornfontein station.
Tours to do
The Parktown & Westcliff Heritage Trust and Past Experiences both conduct heritage walking tours in the area.
Where to stay
Nearby Braamfontein has a number of chic urban boutique hotels, such as Lamunu the Parktonian and the revamped Dorchester Hotel. In Parktown North is the 5-star Westcliff Hotel.
What to eat
The Pink Flamingo, a restaurant in the nearby Troyville Hotel, is famous for its seafood and Portuguese fare.