Good Hope Building
| Good Hope Building | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of the Good Hope Building area | |
| Former names | Good Hope Theatre |
Alternative names | Good Hope Chamber |
General information | |
Architectural style | Cape Dutch Revival |
| Location | Bouquet St, Cape Town CBD, Cape Town, South Africa |
| Coordinates | 33°55′41″S 18°25′05″E / 33.928132°S 18.418182°E |
| Owner | Government of South Africa |
The Good Hope Building is government building located within the Parliament of South Africa precinct in Cape Town.
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History
[edit]The building was used for parliamentary sittings of the Cape House of Assembly from 1854 to 1884. The sittings were then moved to a newly constructed building. After that, it served as the banqueting hall of the Goede Hope Masonic Lodge. It was destroyed by fire in 1892. It was then rebuilt as a music hall and theatre in about 1900 and was known as the Good Hope Theatre.[1]
In 1916, it was purchased by the government from the Freemasons for use as staff offices for the Governor-General, who was seated in Tuynhuys. In 1925, a new façade was added in the Cape Dutch Revival style.[1]
In the 1980s, it served as the State President’s office and as the seat of the President’s Council. MPs of the IFP used the building from 1994 to 2004.[1]
Since 2004, it has been used by ANC MPs and the Presidency.[1] Following the 2022 fire, the building has also served as a temporary venue for the National Assembly, with a seating capacity of 170.[2][3]