Project overview
Following fire damage to the historic building at 70 Loop Street in Cape Town’s city centre, a defining architectural element was lost: the original roof lantern that crowned the structure.
The lantern was beyond restoration and required full replication. Grandi Manufacturing was appointed to manufacture a replica lantern that faithfully reflected the original geometry, proportions and silhouette — and to complete the complex rooftop installation.
Manufacture of the replica lantern
Working from fire-damaged remnants, site measurements and historic references, the team interpreted the original structure and engineered a square-to-round lantern form that matched the historic design intent.
The manufacture involved:
- Precision forming of the square-to-round transition
- Controlled weld sequencing to prevent distortion
- Structural design suitable for rooftop exposure
- Careful finishing to preserve clean architectural lines
Although square-to-round transitions are common in industrial settings, executing this geometry at architectural scale — where every seam is visible — required exceptional accuracy and craftsmanship.
The objective was not reinterpretation. It was faithful replication.
Complex installation in a heritage environment
Grandi Manufacturing specialises in technically demanding installation projects, particularly those involving crane access, restricted urban sites and sensitive structures.
The 70 Loop Street lantern required:
- Detailed lift planning within Cape Town’s CBD
- Coordination of crane access and site logistics
- Precise alignment and secure fixing on the rooftop
- Careful integration with the existing historic structure
Installation at height in a confined heritage context demanded disciplined execution and engineering oversight. The lantern was successfully positioned and secured without compromising the surrounding building fabric.
Outcome
The completed lantern restores a defining skyline feature to 70 Loop Street, reinstating architectural balance after the fire.
The project demonstrates Grandi Manufacturing’s capability in:
- Architectural metal replication
- Complex geometric fabrication
- Heritage-sensitive manufacturing
- Specialist crane-led installation
From manufacture through to final installation, the project reflects end-to-end expertise in restoring historic built form through precision engineering.
