V & A Waterfront

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is a truly iconic element of the local landscape. Its history is rich, and its offering today is unbelievably diverse, as befits the most comprehensive and extensive mixed-use site in Cape Town. It is named after Queen Victoria and her fourth child, Prince Alfred, who visited Cape Town whilst serving in the British navy and requisitioned the construction of a new harbour for the Cape. Part of what is now the oldest working harbour in the Southern Hemisphere, the affectionately-known ‘V&A’ has glorious Table Mountain as its backdrop. Over the years it has expanded and diversified and is currently home to an incredibly eclectic mix of eateries, business entrepreneurs, retail outlets, entertainers, art collections and sustainable design. It also boasts some of the most prestigious and sought-after property in Cape Town. With magnificent harbour and ocean views, and built around the marina, well-appointed apartments and magnificent penthouses exemplify the highest standards of design and finish, but also offer an unparalleled lifestyle: literally on the doorstep are a plethora of the best restaurants, shops and entertainment options. Along with international investors, yacht owners are also drawn to the V&A, as some of the buildings also have mooring facilities for small yachts and cabin cruisers, (a different spin on ‘parking bay included’!!). A short drive or longer walk away are Green Point in one direction and the City Centre in another, adding to the draw of the V&A’s location alone.

V&A in brief:

• 23 hectares
• 24 million visitors annually
• 23000 people working and living within its neighbourhood.

·       180 business tenants

·       450+ shops

·       101 entertainment activities

·       80+ eateries

·       13 hotels

·       7 museums

·       22 historical landmarks

·       15 conference venues

(Latest update August 23)

Areas:

• Canal District – connects the V&A to the city of Cape Town
• Granger Bay District – contains the Oranjezicht Farm Market, Breakwater residential development and a boardwalk with ocean views
• Clocktower District – the clocktower, built in 1882, a retail centre and the Nelson Mandela Gateway to the Robben Island ferry terminal
• Portswood Ridge District – connects the V&A to the Atlantic Seaboard and includes the Watershed shopping centre, the UCT Graduate Business School and a golf course
• Silo District – includes the world-renowned Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Arts, the Southern Guild design gallery, and various restaurants, hotels, including the Silo, and office spaces. It also sits next to the Cape Town Cruise Terminal.
• South Arm District – houses industrial space and a fishing harbour, which is also where commercial vehicles berth. 

Some of the popular attractions today:

• Two Oceans Aquarium
• Cape Wheel
• Silo Hotel
• Zeitz Museum
• Chavonnes Battery Museum
• Watershed for fantastic African arts, crafts and textiles
• Sunset cruises and helicopter tours