Following the recent completion of basement works and bulk excavations on the R1-billion The Paradigm building on Buitengracht street, in the Western Cape, construction company Tiber Construction says the building is entering another complex phase – the construction of the seventh-floor cantilevered pool deck.

In a media release, Tiber MD Jose Correia describes navigating the steep, traffic-bounded, heritage-sensitive site as “no mean feat”.

“This is one of the most technically demanding CBD sites we’ve ever worked on. You’re building a high-rise on a narrow urban footprint, with heritage buildings on one side, a major transport corridor on the other, and a steep fall across the site, so every part of this project has to be planned and built with precision.”

Among The Paradigm’s most defining features is the pool deck, which is set in a cantilever over the street and surrounded by breathtaking views.

“The pool deck is a structural challenge in its own right. You’re suspending a significant load above a busy urban corridor, which means the reinforcement, the formwork and the sequencing have to be flawless,” says Correia.

For Correia and his team, the move from excavation to vertical build is a significant milestone.

“Once you come out of the ground on a site like this, the choreography changes. You’re managing crane logistics, concrete pours, traffic interfaces and pedestrian safety simultaneously. It’s a live environment.”

Designed by dhk Architects, The Paradigm will comprise 240 luxe, ultra-modern apartments, ranging from short stay friendly studios to larger two-, three- and four-bedroom homes and, at the top, two penthouses will form its crown, each with private terraces and plunge pools that overlook the city bowl and Table Mountain.

According to Correia, the building’s high spec services include full backup power for all apartments and common areas, electric vehicle charging bays in the basement; fibre-ready infrastructure with redundancy; water saving systems and smart metering; and a design framework aligned with Green Star sustainability principles.

“People want certainty. They want to know that the lifts will run, that the lights will stay on, and that the building can operate independently when it needs to. We’ve designed The Paradigm to meet those expectations from day one,” says Correia.

Located at 100 Buitengracht street, the development sits between Heritage Square, Bree street’s restaurant district, the Company’s Garden and the V&A Waterfront corridor.

Tiber says the address allows residents to walk to major employment nodes, hop onto public transport and move through the city’s cultural institutions, cafés, eateries and shops without needing a car.

“In the middle of a working city, but with the mountain always in view, this is the real magic of The Paradigm site,” says Correia.

Along with its residential components, The Paradigm will also feature a double volume lobby with a 24-hour concierge service, high tech access control, underground parking, co-working areas, the pool deck and a curated mix of ground floor retail including a restaurant and deli, coffee shop, gym, wellness spa, laundromat and pharmacy.

“These are the amenities that support the way people live and work in the city today. You can live, work, train, shop and relax without needing a vehicle,” says Correia.

Supported by a R1-billion funding partnership with FNB, Correia says this reflects confidence in the development and the continued growth of the Cape Town CBD residential market, as well as the investment potential that’s waiting to be unlocked.