The vibey Waterfront area in Cape Town is cosmopolitan, has awesome views, loads of activities and is close to the CBD.
Vibrant, urban, cosmopolitan, safe, with spectacular views: these are just a few of the adjectives residents use to describe the V&A Waterfront. So much more than a holiday destination, the area has become home to a wide range of people, from young professionals working in the CBD to retirees who enjoy an urban lifestyle.
“We live in a holiday area but with interesting urban surroundings, di¬fferent ports, offices, hotels, restaurants and shopping malls,” says Hans-Ueli Stampfl, who retired here from Switzerland with his South African wife, Zainab. “The whole area is safe and isn’t a¬ffected by the rush hour.”
You can very easily live without a car here. The varied pedestrian areas link up with a network of trails and running routes connecting with the CBD and the seafront to Mouille Point. There are also frequent MyCiTi buses with several stops throughout the precinct.
“I loved running to the promenade using the back route past The Grand, being able to go the mall when it wasn’t so busy, visiting the Saturday markets, eating out at di¬fferent places and not having to drive home,” says Ziyanda Manzana, who lived here for a year and says she has withdrawal symptoms now that she’s moved away.
Water lovers can explore the canals around the marina on stand-up paddle boards or get out into the bay from one of the nearby beaches.
The new Silo District has got everyone talking. The ambitious project converting the old grain silos and associated harbour buildings to a mix of award-winning residential, office and retail areas is now nearing completion. The star attraction of the project is the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa due to open in September this year.
“I'm loving the additions to the V&A as they create a visible connection between the city and the precinct. Now we have law firms, financial services, more hotels and they're inching into the Foreshore,” says resident Nwabisa Mayema. “Suddenly, we’re now part of the city and the city is part of us; we're not just a destination anymore.”
Hans-Ueli and Zainab originally lived in an apartment at the marina but were so impressed by the new Silo residential developments that they’re moving across. “It’ll be less resort style but more urban, which is exactly what we were looking for.
We’ll have spectacular views of the sea and the di¬fferent harbours, the high-rise buildings of Cape Town and Table Mountain behind. We can even see the seals frolicking below.”
The V&A Waterfront is very cosmopolitan, with a very different mix of people from all walks of life, cultures and countries. I love the proximity to work, shops, the awesome views and the security. Generally, the place offers peace of mind.
-Ziyanda Manzana, resident.
Dine out:
- The Silo Hotel: for its stunning Rooftop Bar and Granary Cafe
- Sushi Box Silo: for sushi lunch on the go
- Harbour House: for elegant seafood
- Willoughby and Co: for excellent sushi
- Grand Africa Cafe and Beach: for seafood and sundowners
Things to do:
- Visit the Watershed for South African design and monthly night market.
- Enjoy a workout at the state-of-the-art Virgin Active Collection gym.
- Rent a bike from Upcycles and explore the city all the way to Camps Bay.
- Tuck into some sustainable produce and great food at the Saturday OZCF market.
- Walk or run along the seafront to the Sea Point promenade.
New at the Silo District:
- Guild gallery of South African designers
- Kat van Duinen luxury leather designs
- Opus Botanical Florist
- Lindt Chocolate Boutique
- Glasshouse Rejuvenation salon
- Now Now: a super-fast concept eatery at Woolworths
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
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