About Heritage Square
Heritage Square is one of the cities most successful urban renewal projects. It lies right at the heart of Cape Town flanked by Hout, Buitengracht and Shormarket streets, just off the now fashionable foodie destination of Bree Street.
Did you know? Back in the day this would have been a space where bakers, cigarette makers and gunsmiths plied their wares. An undertaker operated from the corner of Bree and Shortmarket Street, whilst 90 Bree Street was Neale's Boarding house.
The over 200 year old buildings, originally built for both residential and commercial use, lies in the city's west, earmarked during the latter years of apartheid for demolition to make way for a 2 000 bay parking garage and a freeway.
In an example of how public pressure brings about change, the block was rezoned for commercial use and the Cape Town Heritage Trust and Shortmarket Properties co-operated in a huge private conservation project to restore the buildings to their original Dutch or Georgian façades, their inner workings more modern to suit today's commercial market.
Back in the day this would have been a space where bakers, cigarette makers and gunsmiths plied their wares. An undertaker operated from the corner of Bree and Shortmarket Street, whilst 90 Bree Street was Neale's Boarding house.
Today Heritage Square includes the Cape Heritage Hotel, a number of good quality restaurants, including Africa Café, and a courtyard (filled with chairs and tables that makes a wonderful lunch time spot) in which a grape vine has been growing since the 1770s, still producing grapes for wine today.
Now on the property of the Cape Heritage Hotel there is speculation that the vine is probably the oldest fruit-bearing vine in the southern hemisphere.
The Crouchen Blanc vine would have arrived in the Cape from the Western Pyrenees of France as part of Van Riebeeck's push to provide wine on board ships as a cure for scurvy (the commonly held belief in those days). It apparently produces enough fruit for about 20 litres of wine today (visit the winery and restaurant, Dorrance, for more on the vine).
Need to Know
WhereHeritage Square, Corner of Bree Street and Shortmarket, Cape Town Central, City Bowl, Cape Town, South Africa
WhenDaylight hours.
OvernightStay in Cape Town Accommodation, Western Cape
Disclaimer
Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.
Feedback?
If this is your attraction, you can let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies, by email. We regret, we do not have any other information, please contact the provider if you have questions.
Additional Reading
You might also be interested in
Attractions near Cape Town Central
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options in Cape Town

Bakovenbay Luxury Suites
Bakovenbay Luxury Suites offer accommodation at a gorgeous villa with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. From here you are within easy reach o...

Parergon 205
Parergon 205 is a large three bedroom apartment found in the Marina Residential at the V&A Waterfront. This apartment has all the space you will ...

Red Victorian Mansion
Red Victorian Mansion is a guest house in Somerset West nestled in the leafy suburb of La Sandra and surrounded by captivating, majestic mountain...

312 Rockwell
Accommodating two guests only, this modern and luxurious apartment is centrally located in De Waterkant close to V&A Waterfront, CBD and CTICC. T...

Krystal Beach Hotel
Krystal Beach Hotel offers accommodation in the popular waterfront area of Gordons Bay. Rooms are offered on a bed only or bed & breakfast basis....

Harbour View at the Majestic
Harbour View at Majestic Village offers accommodation in an apartment located on the Main Road in Kalk Bay. The apartment boasts a lovely view of...

George Apartment @ Southeaster
The George Apartment offers comfortable accommodation in Bloubergstrand with a private entrance. The beaches and restaurants of Bloubergstrand ar...

Laguna Beach B8
Laguna Beach B8 is a cosy holiday apartment in Strand. Located in Greenways Golf Estate, right on Laguna Beach, this snug apartment welcomes its ...

The Vynide 103
The Vynide 103 is an apartment offering Somerset West self catering in the Paardevlei Estate. The Estate offers a stunning beauty spa called Nuud...
Things to do in the area

Helicopter Flights With Extreme Scene
Take a tour via Helicopter over Cape Town and the Peninsula. Get a birds eye view of the Cape on this fun and popular Helicopter Tour. Various tr...

Cape Town Free Walking Tours
Most major cities around the world offer city walking tours, and the Mother City is no exception. Cape Town Free Walking Tours makes the city wal...

Ski-Hi Ride
Did you know that the odd adrenaline rush has some amazing health benefits? It helps you to breathe easier, it’s a great pain-blocker, it boosts ...

Attend a Parliamentary Session
The city of Cape Town, despite not being the capital of South Africa, is home to South Africa’s Parliament (Cape Town is the legislative capital)...

Bathe at Long Street Baths
In the centre of Long Street, Cape Town, facing the Long Street Bath's heritage doors, look to the right for a view of Table Mountain, look to th...

Be Cool at Daddy Cools
The Grand Daddy’s hotel bar is the ‘blingest’ in Cape Town. It’s not just a cool bar, it’s a Daddy Cool bar! A palette of metallics and a roll-ca...

Carriage Tour of Cape Town
Cape Town Carriage Company offers the experience of exploring The Cape Town Business District and the Company’s Garden in style and allows a more...

Diamond Cutting Tours
The Diamond Works is a one-stop, exciting experience for tourists, both young and old. Situated on the ground floor of the Metropolitan Life Cent...

Dine at Addis
Addis in Cape provides you with an inviting ambience and a unique dining experience right in the heart of the city of Cape Town. With its talente...
Accommodation convenient to Heritage Square
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Western Cape Accommodation / Cape Town Accommodation