One of the most well-known green spaces in Bedfordview is undergoing a process of renewal and conceptual rethinking. Gillooly’s Farm will be transformed into Gillooly’s Gardens, with plans to create a safer and more welcoming place focused on nature, food, family, community, and live culture.
This iconic 44-hectare site has been part of the area's history for over eighty years. Now, its development is being taken up by a team with extensive experience in hospitality, events, and cultural spaces, which commits to long-term maintenance and protection of the public open space.
The main goal of the project is to preserve the character that generations of visitors have known while offering new reasons for people to visit, gather, and spend time in the gardens.
One of the significant additions will be the Gather restaurant, curated by Coco & J. This restaurant is envisioned as a place for relaxed dining, where families and friends can enjoy food and hospitality in the park's natural setting.
Food will play a role beyond just the restaurant. The renewed experience of Gillooly’s Gardens will include the Good Stuff Market, as well as community events, family entertainment, and the existing gardens, walking trails, and amphitheater.
Live artist performances are also planned, expected later this year; details, including dates, performers, and ticket information, will be announced separately.
For visitors, this means more opportunities to connect with Johannesburg's familiar open space, while retaining the green area and open-air atmosphere that make Gillooly’s Farm unique.
Historically, Gillooly’s Farm has a long history in Bedfordview. It was originally owned by James Gillooly, after which it was sold to the city council in 1944 and named after him.
Today, the area is known for its lake, walking routes, birds, picnic areas, and open lawns, providing residents with a green oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city for decades.
The Gillooly’s Gardens project is positioned as an initiative for restoration and long-term management, not merely as a new commercial establishment. The gardens and natural environment will remain central elements, while dining, markets, recreation, and cultural programs are intended to complement the existing landscape.
According to the team behind the project, the development will be guided by principles of community care, environmental conservation, and public benefit.
Coco & J will play a key role in shaping the culinary offering at both Gather and the Good Stuff Market. This couple is known for their work in the fields of food, lifestyle, music, and entertainment.
J’Something, known as the lead vocalist of the band Mi Casa, has also built a career as a chef, restaurateur, and television presenter. Coco is a content creator and entrepreneur, and they work together on projects focused on food, family, creativity, and connection.
Their involvement in Gillooly’s Gardens translates this focus into a physical space.
Coco & J stated: «We want to create a space that brings people together. A space that celebrates good food, good people, community, and connection. A space that feels like home».
The broader team responsible for Gillooly’s Gardens has over 25 years of experience in hospitality and live experiences. Their portfolio includes establishments such as Artistry, The Palace Bar, Company, Katy’s Palace, Sir James Van Der Merwe Bar, The Ivy, Obscura, and The Ostrich in Cape Town.
It is expected that the group will open several more restaurants and bars in Cape Town in 2026 and 2027.
Further information regarding the restoration, the opening of Gather, the Good Stuff Market, family events, and planned shows will be published as the project progresses.
Currently, Gillooly’s Gardens represents a new chapter for one of Bedfordview's established public green spaces. The main emphasis is on combining what has long made Gillooly’s Farm a place for outdoor relaxation with the addition of food, markets, entertainment, and community activities.
The ambition is simple: to create a place where people will return regularly, whether for a walk through the gardens, a family lunch, a market visit, or a day spent outdoors.
