De Waterkant Area Guide

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Area Overview

De Waterkant Area Guide: Offices, Lifestyle and Everything In-Between

Welcome to De Waterkant

Tucked neatly between Cape Town’s CBD and Green Point, De Waterkant is one of those rare gems that somehow manages to blend old-world charm with ultra-modern living. It's the kind of neighbourhood where colourful cottages sit comfortably alongside sleek offices, and where morning coffee dates turn into networking meetings without anyone batting an eye.

For businesses and tenants, De Waterkant is pure gold. You get all the buzz and accessibility of the city centre without the chaos, plus the lifestyle perks of a proper "village within a city." Think cobbled streets, indie coffee shops, rooftop bars — and office spaces that just make you want to get things done.

If you're thinking about renting or investing here, you're definitely onto something.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know, from its history to its booming office market, lifestyle offerings, and a few tips that only locals would think to share.

The Rich History and Heritage of De Waterkant

The name “De Waterkant” literally means "the water's edge" — a nod to its origins back in the 1700s when this area was the bustling entry point for ships docking into Cape Town.

Today, the sense of history is still alive in:

The Cape Quarter Lifestyle Village: An old farm-turned-shopping and lifestyle hub.
The Old Cape Malay Quarter: Rows of colourful cottages originally home to freed slaves from Southeast Asia.
Prestwich Memorial: Honouring the many enslaved people buried nearby.
Martin Melck House: A gorgeously preserved 18th-century building.

De Waterkant has long been a magnet for the LGBTQ+ community, artists, and free-thinkers. Pride events, art festivals, and a progressive vibe give it a very "live and let live" feel — you’ll feel it from the first cappuccino.

Lifestyle and Culture: Work Hard, Play Harder

This isn’t just a spot to hang your laptop bag. It’s a full lifestyle.

Work:

A strong cluster of tech companies, creatives, consultancies, and startups.
Coworking spaces with community vibes, rooftop decks, and serious coffee game.

Play:

Cafes spilling onto pavements (Deluxe Coffeeworks and Loading Bay are essentials).
Buzzing after-work drinks scenes (try The Piano Bar or Village Idiot).
Local boutiques, art galleries, yoga studios — and the V&A Waterfront a casual stroll away.

Live:

High-end apartments, trendy lofts, historic cottages.
Dog parks, jogging routes, rooftop pools. Yes, please.

You’ll find that balance between hustle and living that most Capetonians dream about.

Infrastructure and Facilities: Solid Foundations

If you’re setting up a business here, you’re in luck — the infrastructure is sorted.

Internet: Fibre everywhere. Fast, stable, and essential.
Transport: Quick access to MyCiTi buses, Ubers galore, and pedestrian-friendly streets.
Parking: Some grumbles about street parking — but plenty of underground and secure options.
Utilities: Water and power supplies are relatively reliable (for Cape Town standards).
Safety: Good private security and active community watch groups.

Basically, everything you’d expect from a top-tier urban node — but with way more character.

Proximity and Accessibility: Right Where You Need to Be

Location, location, location — and De Waterkant nails it:

5 min to Cape Town CBD.
10 min walk to V&A Waterfront.
15 min drive to Table Mountain cableway.
20 min drive to Cape Town International Airport.

Plus, you're neatly positioned to shoot down the Atlantic Seaboard for meetings in Sea Point, Camps Bay or even Hout Bay.

Public transport, private drivers, walking routes — all make connectivity a non-issue.

The Benefits and Opportunities of Being Here

For businesses:

High visibility and foot traffic.
Easy client access and commuting.
Buzzing, trend-forward environment to attract staff and clients.

For tenants:

Top-tier urban living with community spirit.
Lifestyle amenities on your doorstep.
Investment value: properties here have excellent long-term growth potential.

When you’re operating from De Waterkant, you’re sending the message that you’re serious — but also savvy.

Growth and Development: What’s Coming Up?

This area isn’t standing still. Some exciting projects:

De Waterkant Park upgrade: Think skate parks, dog runs, and a biodiversity garden.
Docklands Precinct: Swanky new mixed-use buildings linking Green Point to the Waterfront.
Cape Quarter Expansion: More retail, more offices, more vibes.

The buzz is already building — get in now before prices really climb.

Office Spaces and Properties in De Waterkant

If you're looking at offices to rent in De Waterkant, you’re spoiled for choice:

Top picks:

1 Dock Road, Docklands: High-end finishes, great city and harbour views — R200/sqm.
2 Somerset Road, The Hills: Coworking desks, full facilities, rooftop access — R3,000/person/month.
3 Jarvis Street, The Studios: Creative business hub with mentorship perks — from R5,000/month.

Expect a slight premium vs. the rest of Cape Town CBD — but for lifestyle, visibility, and brand value, it's absolutely worth it.

Average rentals: R180/sqm for commercial, R4m average for residential sales (but ranging widely).

FAQs and Real Talk Tips

Q: Is De Waterkant expensive?

Relative to pure CBD spaces? Yes, slightly. But it's still cheaper than V&A Waterfront or Atlantic Seaboard nodes.

Q: What’s the parking situation?

Get a bay with your lease if possible — otherwise, budget for underground parking nearby.

Q: Is it safe?

Very. Good private security and loads of foot traffic help.

Quick tips:

Always check fibre readiness when viewing offices.
Grab lunch at The Loading Bay after viewings — best burgers in the city.
If you’re buying property, look for heritage buildings — they hold value better.