The residents who choose to live there love the noisy, gritty, urban energy of it, the cafe culture, and being able to walk everywhere
Living in the CBD is all about being close to the heart of Cape Town, feeling the buzz. The residents who choose to live there love the noisy, gritty, urban energy of it, the cafe culture, and being able to walk everywhere. The resurgence of the city centre over the last two decades has been fed by the number of small creative businesses establishing themselves there, as well as the international big businesses.
“There’s so much going on, there’s so much to draw from,” comments Max Botha, owner, Hokey Poke, who has lived here since he left school. “It’s a community but there are so many foreigners, foreign influences and global exposure that every day feels like a new experience. We live in a city that's almost at the forefront, pushing trends and developing change rather than following it. As a creatively inclined person, it’s very inspiring.”
Open street events such as the monthly First Thursdays have encouraged that creative influx, with galleries opening late and people from all over Cape Town walking the streets late into the evening. As it’s got bigger and more popular, for some First Thursdays is just another party, but the element of creative collaboration, of catching up with what’s happening and the latest influences, still drives the event.
As traffic has intensified for commuters coming into town from the suburbs, the attraction of living at the hub, of being able to walk to work, has increased exponentially. “I like the noise and find the suburbs too quiet,” says John Morrison, owner, Que Pasa Dance Studio. “I have more time to get stuff done, because I don’t waste time commuting. It takes a certain type of person to enjoy town, the noise that comes with a busy lifestyle and the convenience of having access to everything close by.”
There’s so much on the doorstep, from everyday essentials to excellent restaurants, cafes, pubs and artisan food outlets, live performances from local bands and cutting-edge exhibitions, not only on the trendy hub of Bree Street but spreading down through Loop Street, Church Street and Long Street.
And it’s not only about the new. Old establishments that have been there for years are part of the fabric of the city, and that mix of rough edges and rawness, together with people from all walks of life, fuels the energy too. The Cape Town City Improvement District works to keep streets clean and maintains a presence of police officers, which contributes to a general sense of safety.
For a green refuge from the streets, a walk in The Company’s Garden refreshes the spirit, and the City Bowl gives way quickly to the mountain slopes, so a hike up Lion’s Head or around Table Mountain can be part of the urban lifestyle too. Cycle around the shore to Sea Point promenade for some ocean energy, or make use of the frequent MyCiti bus routes to head to the beach.
But even within the CBD, you feel the uniqueness of Cape Town living with amazing views of Table Mountain, Lions Head and the harbour at every turn.
Ultimately it is the buzz in the air. Living in the CBD you can feel things shifting, you can feel Cape Town creatively bubbling, which is why I haven’t moved anywhere else
-Max Botha, owner, Hokey Poke.
Dine out:
- Shortmarket Club: for chic dining
- La Tete: for sustainable French bistro fare
- Hokey Poke: for healthy poke bowls
- Clarkes: for laid-back breakfast and lunch
- Locanda at Villa 47: for contemporary Italian
- SeaBreeze Fish & Shell: for the freshest seafood
Things to do:
- Gallery hopping on First Thursdays
- Squirrels, walks and picnics in The Company’s Garden
- Salsa and Latin dancing at Que Pasa
- City Bowl market in Hope Street
- Movies at the Labia Theatre
- Live jazz at The Crypt Jazz Restaurant
Events
After-work drinks:
- Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar
- Outrage of Modesty
- The Twankey Bar at the Taj Cape Town Hotel
- The Ghibli Bar and Pool Terrace at The Radisson Blu Hotel and Residence
- The House of Machines
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
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