Since the 1800s De Waterkant
Village has housed many characters,
from religious to historical to political to colourful. Most of their
names
and tales have been told and forgotten, but some left their marks
in bricks,
mortar, urban legends
and neighbourhood
stories and memories.
In 1997 the Cape
Town City
Council declared De
Waterkant Village
a national preservation
area.
Over
the centuries this 12-block neighbourhood has been home to stonemasons,
soldiers, sailors, merchants, crafters,
clergy, the Dutch,
the English,
the Malays, the Khoi, Christians,
Moslems,
Hindus, whores, homosexuals,
bohemians, butchers, bakers, shoe
makers, travellers, foreigners,
film directors, fashion
fundis, playwrights, property
developers
and investors. Yes, if these streets could talk...
De Waterkant Village is one of Cape
Town's true original gems with its unique architectural style,
its laid back atmosphere, its cosmopolitan
residents,
its close proximity to the city
centre, table
mountain, waterfront and all major roads and highways
and its fabulous lifestyle
that it offers. Few
have
been disappointed, most have been impressed
and many have returned.
In recent
years the area has undergone an impressive urban revival that has
allowed and encouraged more shops
and restaurants to open. At the heart
of this revival and development is the Cape
Quarter with its beautiful
cobbled courtyard surrounded
by shops and restaurants.
With an old
Pepper Tree and a water feature
as its centrepiece this piazza-style
development attracts local and foreigner
visitors to experience
true Cape
hospitality
and style that spills
out
onto the neighbourhood streets.
In
De
Waterkant visitors are welcome,
residents are friendly, decor shops
are extravagant,
homes are historic,
lifestyle
shops are stylish,
bars are trendy, property
prices are soaring, nightclubs
are rocking,
restaurants are cooking,
wines
are chilled,
guesthouses
are full, streets
are buzzing, health spas are streaming and parking bays are limited!
Whatever
you're looking for will be found in De Waterkant.
It's simply the only place to be in Cape Town!
READ
MORE ON THE GAY VILLAGE
