Cullinan Treasure Village™ — a heritage-anchored precinct on Hotel Road, Cullinan, City of Tshwane: a concept designed and presented by Community Development Initiatives International NPC (CDII) and its division We MiND Foundation.
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Cullinan Treasure Village reimagines the legacy of one of the world's most famous diamond discoveries as a living precinct of heritage, culture and economic opportunity. The “treasure” in its name is Cullinan's people and heritage, not only its diamonds. Seven precincts across the Hotel Road site combine a diamond-faceted glass atrium, rammed-earth construction, brise-soleil shading and living roofs, with an on-site solar micro-grid.
The design aims for low-carbon, net-zero operation and a Green Star SA rating.
1905
The 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond, described as the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found, was recovered at the Premier (now Cullinan) Mine on 26 January 1905. Its largest cut stones, Cullinan I and II, are set in the British Crown Jewels. Diamond mining has shaped this town ever since, yet the story has never been given the heritage home it deserves.
1941–1947
Nearby lies a second, little-known story: Zonderwater (1941–1947), where about 90,000 Italian prisoners of war were held. They left a remarkable cultural legacy, including the work of sculptor Edoardo Villa.
Cullinan has done this before. On 4 December 2002, Nelson Mandela opened the Diamond Hub at the Premier Mine, then owned by De Beers, as the first event of the mine's centenary. Under one roof it brought together diamond cutting and polishing, training, a jewellery design school and retail, and some 150 young women from the communities around Cullinan were trained there to cut and polish diamonds. Cullinan Treasure Village takes up that idea for a new generation: heritage, skills and enterprise in one place, rooted in the town and its people.
The Diamond Hub still welcomes visitors on the mine property today; Cullinan Treasure Village is a separate project by CDII.
These stories meet on Hotel Road. The Village is rooted in this place and its stories.
A concept designed and presented by CDII and its division We MiND Foundation. Design, features and timing are subject to funding, detailed planning and approvals.
Cullinan sits within easy reach of Gauteng's major hubs:
By sending your details you agree that CDII may use them to respond to your enquiry, as set out in our Privacy Statement.
By sending your details you agree that CDII may use them to respond to your enquiry, as set out in our Privacy Statement.
By sending your details you agree that CDII may use them to respond to your enquiry, as set out in our Privacy Statement.
By sending your details you agree that CDII may use them to respond to your enquiry, as set out in our Privacy Statement.
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