Namibia: Renovation updates for Windhoek’s oldest building! [update #3]

update (07 October 2025): The Alte Feste restoration is structured around two main phases, with a general timeline guiding works into 2026. The current plan, as outlined by the project’s official communication and supporting organizations, is as follows:

• Phase One: Structural Stabilisation & Initial Renovations (2025)
• This phase focuses on urgently stabilizing the building, addressing structural issues, roof repairs, and securing the site for further development.
• Began mid-2025 and is currently underway, with works including masonry reinforcement, roofing, and preparatory groundwork.
• Phase Two: Complete Renovation & Repurposing (Late 2025–2026)
• Scheduled to begin after completion of the initial stabilisation, this phase will overhaul the interior and exterior, install new utilities, and prepare purpose-built spaces for museums, galleries, and public areas.
• Tasks in this stage include exhibition fit-out, renovation of courtyards, and development of cultural and artisan spaces.
• This comprehensive redevelopment is expected to extend through much of 2026, with targeted public reopening set for late 2026. 

update (16 April 2025): RMB Namibia, through the FirstRand Foundation, has contributed N$650,000 for phase one of its renovations, which include essential structural improvements and preparations for the museum and cultural centre.

update (14 February 2025): The German Embassy in Windhoek just posted on Facebook that Namibia Art, Craft and Design (Craft Centre) will receive 3.2 million Namibian Dollar (160 000 EURO) for 2025-2026 through the Federal Foreign Office’s Cultural Preservation Programme in order to support the extensive repair and rehabilitation work on the Alte Feste building in Windhoek.

The project to restore Windhoek’s oldest surviving building, the Alte Feste, has received a major boost! According to a statement by the German Embassy in Windhoek, the German Government will contribute N$3.2 million towards the renovation. This funding will support extensive repairs and rehabilitation, ensuring the historic site is transformed into a national genocide museum and a center of excellence for arts, crafts, and heritage.
The Alte Feste restoration is a collaborative effort between the Namibian Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture and the Namibia Craft Centre, with additional contributions from the United States Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation, the FirstRand Foundation, and the Namibian government. Renovation work is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2025. Stay tuned for more updates!

Located on Robert Mugabe Avenue in Windhoek, next to the Independence Memorial Museum, the Alte Feste has a long and rich history. The fortress was founded on 18 October 1890, completed by 1893, and later expanded after 1901. It served as a barracks and a refuge for women and children during the 1904 Herero War. During World War I, it was used as headquarters for the German Schutztruppe, and later, from 1915 onwards, for South African troops. From 1925, the building housed a hostel and classrooms for Windhoek High School. Declared a National Monument in 1957, the Alte Feste became home to the historical section of the National Museum in 1962. However, the site has been closed for renovations since 2014.

Namibia: Windhoek's oldest building gets long needed facelift! >>

Namibia: Windhoek's oldest building gets long needed facelift!

The oldest surviving building in Windhoek will soon get a facelift. The Namibian Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture has confirmed that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Namibia Craft Centre in order to transform the "Alte Feste" into a Centre of Excellence for the creative industry while retaining the building's historical significance. The "Alte Feste renovation and repurposing project" will be supported by the US Embassy in Windhoek through its Cultural Preservation Fund.
According to the Ministry, the renovation of the "Alte Feste, which became severely dilapidated because of the limited maintenance that was carried out, will be done in stages. During the the first phase, the main focus will be on stabilizing the structure of the building and making it functional again for diverse activities. Upon completition, the "Alte Feste" will host a museum chronicling the building's history, a craft market, an art gallery, training workshops, art studios, restaurant/café, as well as a courtyard event space and offices.
The launch of the "Alte Feste renovation and repurposing project" is taking place on 10 April 2024.

The "Alte Feste" is located in Robert Mugabe Avenue in Windhoek, next to the Independence Memorial Museum. The foundation of the fortress was laid on 18 October 1890. By 1893 the "Alte Feste" had been completed and was extended to its present shape after 1901. It served as a barracks and shelter for women and children during the 1904 Herero war. During the First World War the "Alte Feste" served as headquarters for the Schutztruppe, the colonial troops in the African territories of the German colonial empire. From 1915 onwards it served as headquarters for the South African troops. From 1925 it was used as a hostel and classrooms by the Windhoek high school. The "Alte Feste" was later declared a National Monument in 1957 and in 1962 it became the home of the historical section of the National Museum. The "Alte Feste" has been closed for renovations since 2014.

Windhoek: The US Embassy has now officially moved to its new location!

The US Embassy in Windhoek, Namibia, has now officially moved to its new location. The ceremonial lowering of the American flag and the removal of the Great Seal at the site of the old U.S. Embassy on 14 Lossen Street took place on 26 January 2024. Moments later, the American flag was raised for the first time at the new U.S. Embassy building. The new U.S. Embassy is now fully operational at 38 Metje Street in Klein Windhoek. The state-of-the-art facility is equipped to meet the evolving diplomatic, consular, health, and cultural needs, providing a platform for enhanced engagement between the US and Namibia. The grand opening of the new US Embassy Compound in Windhoek already took place on 07 December 2023.