“If you are looking at relocating your business to a new area, you cannot do better than Century City,” says Leon Breytenbach, National Manager of the Rawson Property Group’s commercial division. “It’s an area which embraces the principles of new urbanism and is conveniently situated for access to the CBD, the southern, northern and west coast suburbs as well as the Cape Town International Airport.” It is adjacent to the N1 freeway, providing easy road transport solutions, including a full spectrum of public transport in the form of trains with a dedicated station, ‘MyCiti’ direct bus routes, BRT bus routes and minibus taxis.
Century City is surrounded by the suburbs of Milnerton, Jo Slovo Park, Marconi Beam, Summer Greens and Sandrift. It is 12 kilometres from the CBD, 11 kilometres from the harbour and approximately 19 kilometres or 30 minutes from the airport. Ysterplaat, a domestic civil airport is about fifteen minutes by road from Century City. Milnerton and Lagoon beaches are also just a few kilometres away.
There are parks in the area, such as Intaka Island, Century City’s nature reserve and bird sanctuary, which is not only home to red data species but also incorporates some popular walking routes. Ratanga Junction, just next door, offers anything from kiddie-safe rides to those suited only to adrenaline junkies. Virgin Active and various private gyms add to the list of safe recreational opportunities.
Commercial demographics
“The area is comprised predominantly of retail and office space with some lighter industrial entities to the north, buffered by Montagu Gardens,” says Breytenbach. “The office premises are mainly prime and A grade,” he continues, “and rentals range, on average, from R120 to R185 per square metre.” Retail premises are available in several shopping centres and malls, where the size of enterprises range from very small to large, some of the latter being listed companies. Major businesses to be found in Century City are MTN, Vodacom, Philip Morris, Spur, Oxford Press, as well as some major car dealerships including Mercedes, BMW and Porsche.
The area is also equipped with hi-tech connectivity, with an open access fibre optic network, available to businesses and residents alike via a wide range of packages and providers, giving them the fastest internet connection available. Other amenities to be found here are the Intercare Century City Medical Centre and Day Hospital, Curro Private School, Abbotts College, Abeille Ruche, Endeavour Educare Centre, Tygerhof and WD Hendricks Primary Schools and De Grendel High School. Tertiary training is offered by Damelin College and Old Mutual Business School. Canal Walk, Colosseum and Sable Square shopping centres provide a full spectrum of retail outlets, very convenient for working people wanting to shop after hours or eat at one of the many restaurants and coffee shops.
Safety and security
Century City has a state-of-the-art network of fibre-optic CCTV cameras which are monitored around the clock. They also have their own rapid response security force which employs visible pedestrian and motor patrols operating on a 24 hour basis. The safe, secure nature of the area is a great draw card to prospective businesses and residents.
A few facts and figures
“During the last 12 months a total of 272 properties representing both residential and commercial entities were sold for prices ranging between R1,5 million and R3 million, giving an overall average of R2.1 million per transaction. Approximately half were at the lower end of the scale,” says Breytenbach. Selling prices averaged at R22 000 per square metre plus VAT, resulting in a cumulative sales value of R570 000 000. It is thus evident that the property market in Century City is very active with the available premises being keenly sought.”
