The pretty, seaside suburb of Sea Point which leans against the lower slopes of Signal Hill and fixes its gaze on Robben Island has had a long and colourful history. It is an interesting part of Cape Town, filled with a unique and unusual mix of inhabitants. While its prime location a short drive from the city centre, long promenade and proximity to the V&A Waterfront make it a very desirable place to live, it has retained a slightly edgy element, making it one of the funkier, more vibrant places on the Atlantic Seaboard.
Its inauspicious beginning was the construction of a small society house built on the seaward side of Signal Hill in the late 1700s as a gathering place for free burghers and Dutch East India Company officials. From here, it slowly became a residential suburb for settlers, and by 1813, 28 plots had been sold for development. The Green Point Tramway company and its tramline which connected Sea Point to the CBD and Camps Bay built housing for its employees, and this attracted more people to the area. Sea Point’s proximity to the mountain and the ocean allowed for hiking, swimming and fishing, and soccer and other sports were played on the Green Point common.
While it’s had a few iconic buildings in its time (such as the famous revolving restaurant on top of the Ritz Hotel), Sea Point’s most unusual structure would have to be the St Johns Church built in the early 1800s by liberal and progressive property developer and MP of Cape Town, Saul Solomon. This church, located at the intersection of Regent Road, Kloof Road and Main Road, hosted four different religions and was testimony to the diversity of the area’s inhabitants. Tragically, it was demolished in the 1930s. The Sea Point Pavilion with its outdoor cinema and tea-room was completed in 1914, and while it has been renovated and changed, it remains a popular meeting place. To this day, the Sea Point public pool situated at the end of the promenade and commanding a stunning view of the Atlantic ocean is one of the suburb’s best features. On weekday mornings and early evenings, swimmers doing laps have the pool virtually to themselves, a luxury in a busy city.
This suburb has undergone many changes over the years, but its soul has remained the same and the spirit of multiculturalism and diversity is alive and well. Walk along its vibrant pavements and you’ll meet many different nationalities and walks of life. On any given Friday or holy day, Jewish families can be seen strolling along High Level Road on their way to shul; Greek and Italian restaurant owners have been running successful businesses for decades. Alongside these much-loved establishments, new and modern businesses continue to spring up, bringing new life and energy to the area.
Sea Point has always been famous for its restaurants, and now more than ever the suburb offers a huge range of eateries: Syrian, Indian, Italian, Japanese, French, vegan and raw are all within short walking distance of each other. And if you want a one-stop-shop, the newish edition, the Mojo Market, offers live music, craft beer and virtually anything on the planet you could want to eat or drink. It’s a popular after-work meeting place and it buzzes all weekend long.
The suburb’s modern, high rise apartments and the stunning views they command of the mountain, the ocean and the cruise liners and cargo ships that trawl the coastline make them ideal ‘lock up and go’ options for those keen on making Cape Town their second home. It also has many beautifully preserved and renovated Victorian homes with their signature ‘broekie-lace,’ high ceilings and charm. It’s largely wind-free and, unlike most parts of Cape Town the beach, the promenade and the shops are within walking distance. Sea Point’s easy marriage of old and new, grit and glitter and refinement and edge make it a compelling choice.
Check out:
The Duchess of Wisbeach, https://www.duchessofwisbeach.co.za/ a newish restaurant that attracts the coolest crowd in Cape Town and turns into a fat party once the kitchen closes.
One of the many Thai Massage Parlours that dot the main road. The masseurs are professional and highly-skilled, and you’ll leave a different person.
Pizzeria Napoletana, http://www.thepizzeria.co.za/ a Sea Point institution which has been serving traditional food from Naples since 1957.
The Pavilion on a Sunday late afternoon where salsa dancers meet in summer to mingle and sway. Grab an ice cream or a takeaway supper and enjoy the vibe.
Lance Real Estate is based in Fresnaye, Cape Town and covers the Atlantic Seaboard from the Waterfront to Camps Bay. With over 23 years’ experience in the most sought-after residential areas in Africa, Lance Real Estate has sold over R 1 billion worth of properties in the last 3 years.
It is this hands-on knowledge that sets Lance Real Estate apart from our competition. We have built an extensive database of buyers and sellers over the last 2 decades who have grown to trust our market knowledge and depend on us to negotiate the best possible deal in any property negotiation.
We are now extending our reach and taking on houses and apartments for sale from the Waterfront through to Camps Bay.
If you are looking for a remarkable agency to buy, rent or sell your property on the Atlantic Seaboard, our friendly customer care team is a phone call away.
We also have a range of holiday rentals to offer. If you appreciate beautiful African sunsets over the sea and sublime mountain views, then visit our holiday rentals section on our website.
Contact
Email: info@lancerealestate.co
Tel: +27 82 416 6103
Website: http://www.lancerealestate.co