Adderley Street Cape Town

In 1850, Adderley Street was so named in honour of Charles Bowyer Adderley, who supported the campaign against British plans to use the Cape as a penal colony for convicts. Residents renamed the street as a gesture of appreciation for his efforts.

Adderley Street later developed into Cape Town’s main commercial and civic thoroughfare. Early banks, department stores and government offices were established here, making it a central part of the city’s business district.

The street originally connected the Company’s Garden with the harbour, placing it at the heart of trade and daily activity. Later foreshore reclamation projects pushed the coastline further outward, changing its original relationship with the sea.

Adderley Street was originally paved entirely with wooden blocks. By the 1900’s, the street had become very busy and noisy. The city planners paved it with wood in an attempt to muffle the noise. Traffic consisted of many wagons, carts and horses. A construction crew upgrading the city’s pedestrian and cycle lanes uncovered the closely fitted wooden setts (cobbles) while they were digging up the road surface in August 2010. Heritage Western Cape stepped in after the discovery was made to conserve part of the city’s history. 

Before the street was paved over, it was a Graaght(canal). Read the story of Cape Town’s water

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