Dr van Graan’s Art Deco Walk

Our popular Art Deco walk, led by heritage architect Dr André van Graan, is back by request – South Africa’s first skyscrapers to architectural detailing in shop and office facades.

As you may have noticed, Art Deco is enjoying an international revival. It is the centenary of the influential Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris. (I’ve seen features in all sorts of media – Financial Times to Elle Deco.)

Our short route includes St Georges Mall, Greenmarket Square, Wale and Burg Streets.

André compares work from the same period, and earlier more traditional designs by the same architects. His PhD was on modern architecture in Cape Town 1918 to 1948. He is the expert on Art Deco in South Africa and was one of the organisers of the Art Deco International Congress held in Cape Town in 2003.

We’ll start at Mullers Optometrists, an Art Deco gem, with a quick intro by André. We finish nearby.

Cost per person R450; R300 payment pre 18 June 2025. This includes a summary of South African Art Deco, and links to the articles mentioned above.

To book: kate@cultureconnectsa.com WhatsApp/phone +27 (0)72 377 8014

25 max group size

Saturday 28 June 2025

10am to noon

R300 early bird payment pre 18 June 2025, then R450 per person

Mullers Optometrist

104 Longmarket Street (near Church Square)

Cape Town, 8001

Do join us for lunch afterwards nearby, at your own expense.

Private Art Deco tours available