Cbd And De Waterkant at a glance
Cape Town CBD
Cape Town Central Business District, located in the natural amphitheatre of the City Bowl, is delineated by Devils Peak, Table Mountain, Lions Head and Signal hill. The financial centre of the Western Cape, the Cape CBD hosts the National Parliament for six months of the year and is the seat of the provincial government and metropolitan municipality.
At its core the CBD is centred around finance, insurance, real estate and business services, with wholesale and retail trading as well as transport, storage and communication bolstering the economy.
The CBD is a fluid landscape and investment and urban regeneration have been at the forefront of its growth into the bustling metropolis it is today.
From business to pleasure, the CBD offers it all and has seen a surge in residential property interest over the past few years with penthouses and mixed-use developments in the city creating new spaces to work and play.
The CBD offers a central location from which to explore the rest of the city and has links to all major public transport services including the Cape Town Central Train Station, MyCiti bus routes and open-top City Sightseeing buses.
If city lifestyle and entertainment is what you are after then town is the place to be with a plethora of coffee shops, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, theatres, museums, craft markets, shopping malls, and hotels, which make it hard to leave.
Between Bree and Long Street there are numerous bars and nightclubs for evening entertainment and with the First Thursdays initiative many of the galleries, theatres and shops are open late for revellers.
History
Cape Town has been inhabited since before written records exist as it provided a source of fresh water and a temperate climate. The ancient Khoi-San name for Cape Town is Camissa meaning ‘place of sweet waters’, and for early settlers using the port as a trading station for resupplying passing ships, this was an important aspect.
The Castle of Good Hope, built by the Dutch stands as the first modern building in Cape Town and was finished in 1679.
Four of the current streets in the city, Buitengracht, Heerengracht, Kaisergracht and Buitensingel were at one-point canals filled with water from the mountain. Bree street was designed to be wide enough for an ox wagon to turn around in and for a time Long street culminated as a pier in the bay.
The history of Cape Town as a trading port and commercial centre shaped by the influences of Dutch, British, Malay and indigenous influences can be seen throughout the CBD.
The city as we know it today has undergone many changes over the years, with the noteworthy development of the foreshore reclamation project in the 30s and 40s almost doubling the space available previously and connecting the new harbour to the CBD.
Attractions
Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC 1 & 2)
The CTICC is a culmination of forward thinking development and a need for a multi-purpose exhibition space to serve leisure and business interests. The convention centre hosts local and international events for sectors from mining to baby care and is located close to premium accommodation and local amenities for visitors.
Artscape Theatre Centre
The hub of arts and culture in the CBD, Artscape is a multifunctional creative space promoting the performing arts. Whether you prefer opera to ballet or comedy to cabaret, the unique mix of facilities are perfect for stimulating the senses and taking in the beauty of artistic performance.
Castle of Good Hope
Work on the Castle of Good Hope, the first permanent European fortification in the area, began in 1666. The new castle replaced the previous wooden fort that Van Riebeeck and his men built. Finally completed in 1679, the castle is the oldest building in South Africa and now a museum open to visitors.
Long Street
A popular destination for a night on the town, Long Street offers many bars, restaurants and nightclubs and is usually buzzing on any night of the week, especially during peak season. Walking distance between most venues make it a great place to explore the nightlife of Cape Town.
Bree Street
The new Long Street, Bree has become the hip place to visit with an abundance of cafes, bars and restaurants. Make sure to visit on First Thursday’s (1st Thursday of the month) for the full experience as the street comes to life.
Amenities
Shopping Centres
Golden Acre
This vibrant shopping centre is situated on Adderley street and connects the Cape Town Train Station, taxi and bus rank to the CBD. Visit the numerous stores in this centre to satisfy your retail cravings and look out for the archaeological remains of Wagenaar’s reservoir set in the building.
St Georges Mall
This mall situated in the centre of town is an amalgamation of shops bordering on a long, traffic-free avenue creating a unique pedestrian retail experience with a variety of informal stalls and markets adding to the shopping experience.
Food & Entertainment
Cape Town CBD has enough restaurants, bars and nightclubs to overwhelm even the most seasoned socialite. Here is a selection of some of the latest and more popular:
The Cousins Trattoria
Eastern Food Bazaar
Homage 1862
Kleinsky’s Delicatessen CBD
Café du Cap
Harvest Café & Deli
Primal Eatery
Localli
Souk
Royale Eatery
Beerhouse
The Village Idiot
Mavericks Revue Bar
Era Nightclub
The Dubliner
Long Street Café
House of Machines
Aces and Spades
Hotels
The Westin Cape Town
Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town North Wharf
Taj Cape Town
Hilton Cape Town City Centre
Parliament Hotel
Hotel on St Georges
Mandela Rhodes Place Hotel
Daddy Long Legs Art Hotel
Pepperclub Hotel & Spa
Southern Sun the Cullinan
Tertiary Education
Damelin Cape Town Campus
AAA School of Advertising
Boston City Campus
International Hotel School
FEDISA Fashion Design
Friends of Design – Academy of Digital Arts
Hospital
Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital
The Cape Town CBD offers a cosmopolitan work and living environment surrounded by the natural beauty of the City Bowl and Atlantic Ocean. For those considering commercial or residential property, Davies Group is your guide to the area and will help you uncover your dream property.
Disclaimer: While every effort will be made to ensure that the information contained within the Davies Property Group website is accurate and up to date, Davies Property Group makes no warranty, representation or undertaking whether expressed or implied, nor do we assume any legal liability, whether direct or indirect, or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information. Prospective purchasers and tenants should make their own enquiries to verify the information contained herein.
