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A Brief Introduction to Century City

Welcome to Century City, an energetic and flourishing urban centre that transforms the modern concept of work-life integration. As an experienced Commercial Property Broker, I am delighted to present a hub where progress, interconnectivity, and creativity flourish.

 

Located at the core of a bustling city, Century City combines urban practicality with scenic allure. Its purposefully crafted infrastructure offers contemporary commercial premises suited to various professional requirements. Century City lays the foundation for achievement, from high-rise office buildings that serve as a motivational setting for your business ventures to adaptable retail areas that draw in an energetic populace.

 

At the heart of Century City's magnetism is its connectivity. An intelligently mapped system of thoroughfares, public transit choices, and walkable routes provides effortless navigation for employees, customers, and guests. The digital groundwork is just as impressive, featuring advanced technology that infuses every part of this metropolitan sanctuary.

 

Century City goes beyond being merely a corporate hub; it's a live, breathing environment that nurtures an enriched lifestyle. An intentional mix of workplaces, green spaces, eateries, and leisure options constructs a harmonious setting that upholds productivity and personal health.

 

Whether you are a start-up owner seeking a springboard, a developing enterprise ready to scale up, or an investor scouting for prospects, Century City has various commercial properties to suit various aspirations. Join me in uncovering what this dynamic city space can bring to your business ventures. Welcome to Century City, where innovation merges with life, offering boundless opportunities.

 

History

Before its transformation, the area that is now Century City was primarily a wetland known as the "Intaka Island Wetlands." In the 1990s, the vision to convert this natural space into a modern urban centre emerged.

The Rabie Property Group, founded in 1978 by Leon Cohen and John Rabie, a leading South African property developer, saw the potential of this wetland area and embarked on an ambitious project to create a "city within a city." The name "Century City" was chosen to symbolize the dawn of a new century and its associated aspirations. Over the years, the company has become a significant player in the South African property landscape.

One of Rabie's most significant and transformative projects is Century City, located in Cape Town. This mixed-use development, which spans over 250 hectares, was conceptualized and developed by Rabie. Today, Century City is a testament to Rabie's vision of creating integrated, sustainable urban spaces. The development includes residential areas, commercial spaces, the Canal Walk shopping centre, and the preserved Intaka Island.

One of the unique aspects of Century City's development was the emphasis on preserving its natural environment. The Intaka Island Wetlands, a 16-hectare nature reserve, remains a central feature of Century City. It serves as a sanctuary for over 120 bird species and various plant species. The developers integrated the wetlands into the urban design, showcasing the harmony between nature and urban development.

 

Location

Century City stands out as a shining example of modern urban growth in the heart of the Western Cape. Its unique location connects the bustling Cape Town city centre with the peaceful Northern Suburbs, making it a hub for business, residential living, and entertainment.

Not only is Century City strategically positioned between the lively Cape Town city centre and the serene Northern Suburbs, but it is also near vital distribution and logistical hubs. The Cape Town CBD is roughly 12 kilometres away via the N1, offering a swift commute to the city's business and entertainment centres. Cape Town International Airport, a crucial gateway for travellers and cargo, is about 18 kilometres southeast, making air freight operations convenient for businesses. The prominent retail and business district, Tyger Valley, is approximately 10 kilometres to the north, while key industrial regions like the Epping Industrial Area and Montague Gardens are merely 8 and 7 kilometres away, respectively.

Growth:

Century City in Cape Town exemplifies urban transformation. Led by top developers like Rabie, this area boasts award-winning residential and commercial projects, capturing the essence of modern city life. Dubbed a "city of the future," Century City is advancing toward a smart city model, prioritizing technology and a balanced lifestyle. As Cape Town's third-largest business district, it showcases economic resilience with over R30 billion in development since 1995, turning a once overlooked suburb into a thriving hub.With its prime location near Cape Town's city center and easy access to the Northern Suburbs, Century City offers a comprehensive range of services, including Canal Walk Shopping Centre, one of Africa's largest malls, and premium office space such as The Matrix and The Estuaries. The real estate market is robust, featuring upscale residential developments, hospitality, and leisure facilities, attracting both new homebuyers and seasoned investors.

In the last year, Century City's office space vacancy rate improved significantly. As of September 2024, the office vacancy rate stands at 5%, a notable recovery from the 10.1% recorded in September 2023. The demand for commercial property continues to rise, driven by its A-grade office buildings, green-certified developments, and strategic positioning as a leading business hub. This shift highlights the area's appeal for businesses seeking office space to let in a prime location?The residential sector in Century City has experienced exponential growth, offering luxury apartments, townhouses, and gated communities, catering to diverse lifestyles. With top-tier security, green spaces, and proximity to essential amenities, Century City has solidified its reputation as a desirable living area.

Looking forward, Century City is poised for further expansion, with ambitious commercial and residential development plans. The integration of smart city technologies, such as IoT solutions, aims to enhance the quality of life and streamline city management, ensuring Century City remains at the forefront of urban innovation.

 

 

Century City offers numerous services, including Canal Walk Shopping Centre, one of Africa's premier malls, exemplary A+ and P grade offices like The Matrix and The Estuaries, upscale residences, hospitality venues, and leisure spots. Its advantageous location near Cape Town's city centre and the Northern Suburbs enhances its allure for businesses and inhabitants.

 

Century City's residential sector has experienced exponential growth. It provides an array of living spaces suitable for different tastes, from apartments to opulent households and private communities, appealing to diverse demographics. The synergy of strategic placement, outstanding amenities, and strong security measures has earned Century City a reputation as a coveted residential area, combining modern living with picturesque surroundings.

 

Century City's emergence as a nucleus for enterprise amidst Cape Town's rise as an international economic player has resulted in cutting-edge work environments that attract local startups and global enterprises. Situated in a critical business zone, Century City is well-positioned as a foundation for business success, championing innovation, teamwork, and entrepreneurship.

 

Century City's evolution is ongoing, with several ambitious development plans on the horizon. Future growth of residential and commercial areas is planned, promising more excellent prospects for individuals and corporations. Advanced smart city technology implementations, including IoT applications, are designed to enrich living standards and refine city management. Century City remains at the forefront, ensuring it remains a model urban area.

Environmental Considerations

In Cape Town, Century City is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters—a common feature of the larger Western Cape Province, shaped by its surrounding terrain.

 

Cape Town's natural resources are crucial for providing ecosystem services such as purifying air and water, providing food, and regulating climate. A significant aspect of Cape Town's environment is its position within the Cape Floristic Region, known for its exceptional biodiversity. The area is also bordered by a 307-kilometer-long coastline, accentuating the city's rich environmental heritage.

 

Regarding environmental policies, Cape Town has been proactive in developing and executing a Climate Change Action Plan cultivated through the cooperation and contributions of various local stakeholders. This denotes the city's joint effort towards mitigating the effects of climate change. Alongside this, Cape Town has a set Climate Change Policy underpinned by major programs and strategies that uphold global Sustainable Development goals. These efforts reflect the city’s dedication to sustainable development, ecological preservation, and fortitude in facing climatic adversities.

 

 

Landscape and Art

In Century City, a busy city, art is growing thanks to many programs. The Century City Arts Foundation works hard to support and boost the arts. It offers essential facilities and opportunities for experienced and new artists to succeed.

The Century City Art Trail is a key part of this artistic area, showing the city's dedication to creativity. This trail goes through outdoor areas decorated with 25 fantastic art pieces, adding a special touch to Century City's city setting.

Art in Century City takes many forms. The book Century City: Art and Culture in the Modern Metropolis gives an insight into various artistic activities, including architecture, design, movies, performance art, literature, and more, showing the city's wide range of creative talent.

Among these creative works is the Freedom Sculpture. This important symbol is more meaningful considering the world's ongoing issues. Created by Cecil Balmond, it is located on Century City's Santa Monica Blvd and represents deep themes of womanhood, life, and freedom.

Altogether, these efforts create a lively blend of creativity, showing Century City as more than a modern city but also a place where artists can find their voice and succeed.

 

Public Transportation:

Century City, a prominent hub in Cape Town, offers an impressive array of public transport options, ensuring unmatched connectivity for its residents and visitors alike. The Golden Arrow Bus Service stands out in this network. With a history of over 160 years, this bus service provides comprehensive route and pricing details, simplifying daily commutes. Recent data indicates that an early morning ride on a Golden Arrow bus from Cape Town to Atlantis before 8 am costs R48, while a trip from Khayelitsha comes to R40.

The train route "CAPE TOWN - BELLVILLE VIA MONTE VISTA" is another popular option, leading directly to Century City. However, due to the ongoing vandalism and theft of railway infrastructure, this service has been suspended until further notice. Commuters are advised to use alternative modes of transport, such as buses or taxis, to reach Century City. Alternatively, they can use the shuttle service provided by Century City Connect, which operates between the Century City station and the Canal Walk shopping centre. This shuttle service runs every 15 minutes and costs R5 per trip.

The MyCiTi service, which provides comprehensive coverage across Cape Town, adds to the transport mix. Thanks to its detailed timetables, this service ensures travellers experience smooth transitions between different transportation modes. The MyCiTi service also offers a direct route from the Cape Town International Airport to Century City, making it convenient for visitors and business travellers.

Taxis, too, play a crucial role in the city's transportation landscape. With fares in Cape Town usually starting at 22.00R and per kilometre rates ranging between R12-R14, taxis provide a quick and convenient mode of transport. For example, a 3 km journey typically costs around R58.00, while a 6 km distance might set you back by R94.00. Taxi fares can also incur waiting charges, pegged at 55.00R per hour.

 

 

Diverse Office Spaces

Century City caters to various business needs, from multinational corporations to local startups. The area offers state-of-the-art office parks, standalone office buildings, and flexible co-working spaces. This diversity allows businesses of all sizes and sectors to find a suitable space. These are expansive areas dedicated to housing multiple office buildings. They often come with landscaped gardens, shared amenities, and ample parking. These parks are designed to accommodate more giant corporations or various businesses in a cohesive environment. Standalone office buildings are available for companies that prefer a distinct identity or require significant space. These buildings often have amenities that can be customized to suit the tenant's needs. With the rise of startups, freelancers, and the gig economy, co-working spaces have become increasingly popular. Century City offers several co-working environments where individuals or small teams rent desks or offices flexibly. These spaces often have shared amenities like meeting rooms, kitchenettes, and lounge areas, fostering collaboration and networking. Flexible office suites are ideal for businesses that are not yet ready to commit to a long-term lease or are in a rapid growth phase. These modular spaces can be adjusted based on the company's needs, allowing for scalability.

 

Corporate Business Parks

Within this vibrant development lie essential business parks and commercial precincts that cater to a diverse range of businesses. Century Square offers a combination of corporate offices and boutique establishments, giving it a distinctive identity. The Estuaries and One on Estuaries are characterized by their low-density, eco-friendly design, providing free-standing and sectional title office premises amidst green landscapes. Adjacent to one of Africa's largest shopping centres, the Canal Walk Office Towers are strategically located and symbolize prestige and convenience. In the tranquil corners of Century City, Waterford Place emerges as a serene office park. At the same time, Knowledge Park is a beacon for IT and tech companies, nurturing a spirit of innovation. Bridge Park's modern design ethos emphasizes sustainability, offering a mix of office and retail spaces. Park Lane and Grosvenor Square, near the lush Central Park, presents businesses with a premium location, juxtaposing work with relaxation. And not to be overlooked, The Apex embodies modern luxury, featuring high-end apartments and cutting-edge office spaces. Given Century City's dynamic nature, it's constantly evolving, and newer developments may have sprouted since 2018. Sources like the Century City Property Owners' Association (CCPOA) or the official Century City website are invaluable for the latest insights into Century City's business landscape.

 

 

 

Century City's Network Infrastructure: Pioneering Modern Connectivity

Modern urban environments require advanced network infrastructure, and Century City in Cape Town is a prime example of how these systems are integrated into mixed-use developments, pointing the way to the future of city planning. Central to Century City's operation is Century City Connect, which supplies a solid digital backbone through its extensive fibre-optic network. From the outset, developers understood the need for uninterrupted connectivity, resulting in infrastructure that delivers internet speeds on par with the best globally.

 

Century City has revolutionized its connectivity by installing a comprehensive fibre-optic network arranged in rings and an Optical Exchange Node, providing fast internet speeds, reduced downtime, and a smooth online experience. Thanks to the developers' forward-thinking decisions and collaborations with accredited Internet Service Providers (ISPs) such as Webafrica and Cape Connect, companies in IT, finance, and media, among others, enjoy more efficient business operations with fewer interruptions.

 

Embracing the Internet of Things (IoT), Century City leads the pack with its adaptable network, ready for many smart devices that manage traffic flows, security systems, and environmental monitoring. This streamlines both operations and maintenance for a more intelligent living and working environment.

 

Distinguishing itself further, Century City's network strongly emphasises reliability with multiple redundancy systems that mitigate network failure risks. If any primary issue arises, swift failover systems maintain constant connectivity. Acknowledging the crucial nature of data security in contemporary times, Century City enforces rigorous cybersecurity measures alongside frequent assessments and upgrades that confront new cyber threats, thereby reaffirming their dedication to protecting the cyber welfare of residents and enterprises.

 

 

New Developments for 2024 – Junxion Park

Junxion Park, developed by Rabie Property Group and designed by Vivid Architects, is a dynamic commercial project in Century City, Cape Town, South Africa. This vibrant development will offer the market 8,500 square meters of premium office space. Junxion Park represents a new phase following the successful completion of Ratanga Park, a mixed-use development exceeding R100 million.

The project will feature 4 commercial buildings and an underground parking facility on the lower ground. Designed as a modern hub, Junxion Park aims to foster business growth by providing flexible office spaces and vibrant retail outlets within a community-centric setting. The focus is on creating an ideal work and leisure environment, emphasising convenience, creativity, and high-speed connectivity.

Where is Junxion Park located? Junxion Park is in the Century City centre, right opposite Canal Walk Shopping Centre, on the corner of Century Boulevard and Slipstream Way, where the Mercedes Benz and Audi Dealership are. The development will be visible from the N1 Freeway. This area is known for its excellent infrastructure, accessibility, and a mix of residential, business, and leisure facilities. Century City is an ideal location offering a lifestyle that integrates work, living, and play, which is very attractive to companies and individuals. The development is strategically placed to provide easy access to major transport hubs, such as the Century City Train Station. It is only a short drive from Cape Town’s central business district. It’s also near various cultural and recreational attractions, such as the Intaka Island Nature Reserve and the Canal Walk Shopping Centre, one of Africa’s biggest shopping centres, offering a variety of retail, dining, and entertainment options.

 

How big is Junxion Park? Junxion Park commercial development is a project that will have four buildings on a 12,217m² piece of empty land. The project will have 56 open parking spaces and 289 parking bays at the basement level.  Office Block 1 is a modern facility with a total area of 5,262m² for rent over five floors. The ground floor has 674m² of space, while the first to fourth floors have spaces between 1,094m² and 1,366m². The building is meant for businesses that want a high-class location and premium facilities. It has a rent of R285/m² and has 179 parking bays, with a ratio of 3.5 bays for every 100m².  Office Block 2 has four floors, with the ground, first, and second floors, each having 841m² of space and the third floor having 777m². The rent for Office Block 2 is at R265/m².

How long will the Development take, and when will it be completed? After the Ratanga Junction's closure in May 2018, the blueprint for Ratanga Park’s development was initiated. The construction and development process has been progressively unfolding, with several stages reaching completion. Junxion Park represents the latest phase in this commercial development, with plans to be ready for occupancy in early 2025.

 

Environmental impact of the project? Ratanga Park and Junxion Park are built strongly on ecological sustainability. Ratanga Park, which came before Junxion Park, is known for its eco-friendly environment that supports relaxation and well-being. It has increased biodiversity with rich birdlife and native vegetation. The park’s sustainable landscaping uses water-efficient methods and recycled effluent for irrigation.

Moreover, the development has incorporated innovative green energy systems.  Junxion Park, the next phase, follows this sustainability commitment as part of the broader Century City initiatives. It is planned to be an innovative, sustainable development with energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste management at its heart. The architectural design promotes walking and cycling, which helps to lower carbon emissions and support a healthier lifestyle. Both projects are devoted to reducing carbon impact and creating harmony between urban development and environmental protection.

 

When you know Century City in Cape Town, you see it's not merely a location. It reflects progressive urban design, modern tech, and environmental commitment. Here, the past meets the future, and work and relaxation go hand in hand. It’s not just about buildings and roads; it’s an example of the potential of urban spaces globally.