The V&A Waterfront’s Watershed market received recognition at two award ceremonies held on the same day for the R50-million design and redevelopment of the old Craft Market and Wellness Centre into an African art and design market.

The Watershed received its awards from the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) and the Cape Institute for Architecture (CIfA) on September 30.
The Watershed was one of 12 developments in the Western Cape to receive an award for architecture this year from the CIfA, with the institute commending the re-imagining of a closed warehouse space into a lively open-ended indoor street that is a hub for small businesses.
“There is something about the collective nature of a street that brings us firmly in relation to one another . . . The project beautifully demonstrates the possibility of a more integrated, diverse society,” the CIfA said at the awards ceremony.
The Watershed was also a joint winner in the Redevelopment of Existing Space category at the SACSC Congress’s yearly Retail Design & Development Awards, which recognises exceptional shopping-centre design, combined with economic success in the property industry.

The SACSC has a particular interest in developments with excellent design solutions that achieve a clear overall development goal. A development project’s positive response to its market and its surroundings, use of innovative design and construction solutions, as well as its ability to embrace sustainable design and business techniques are heavily weighted.
The historic warehouse structure of the Watershed, which opened to the public for trade in October last year, was completely reimaged by the V&A Waterfront and Cape Town-based Wolff Architects.
The open-ended building has doubled its height and a 100 m skylight ensures an abundance of natural light. The old southern façade sheeting has been replaced by glass, which overlooks the Robinson Dry Dock and Table Mountain.
The curated space of the Watershed offers a platform to talented, emerging designers and showcases more than 150 tenants, representing over 365 brands ranging from ceramics and furniture to textiles, fashion and jewellery.