Covid-19 might have thrown a spanner in the works for international tourism, but Cape Town can still lay claim to being voted the “Best City in the World” by the Telegraph in 2019, for the 7th year running, beating Tokyo, Sydney, New York, Venice, and Florence. In their write up, the Telegraph described the Mother City as an “unparalleled destination”, a “coastal gem, lying in the shadow of a cloud-hugged mountain”, and the “jewel in Africa’s crown”.
Previous generations might have grown up longing for a family home in the suburbs complete with white picket fence, rolling lawn, and swimming pool, but today’s 30-something’s have very different aspirations. When it comes to choosing where and how to live, millennials are motivated less by the need for privacy and permanency, and more by the need for freedom and flexibility. They want to be able to follow their hearts and pursue their dreams; to travel, and explore the world; to upsize, or downsize, depending on their circumstances; to semigrate, or even emigrate, to further their careers.
There is, as the saying goes, no place like home. The word conjures up feelings of safety, sanctuary, peace, and privacy. “Home” is our refuge from the outside world, a safe place to relax and recharge, a soft landing at the end of a busy day.
Picture the scenarios. Workers in high-rise office buildings, surrounded by more high-rise office buildings – not a park, a bit of greenery, or an open space in sight. Or, they’re working in an office park near roughly nothing. What do they do over lunch? When or where do they go to relax or take a break? Where can they get lunch, grab a coffee, or do their shopping? How long do they have to travel to get there and how far do they have to go to take care of their daily needs – grocery stores, pharmacies, doctors’ rooms, health clubs, restaurants, coffee shops… etc.
All over the world people are choosing to scale down and they’re doing so for various reasons. In many cases, it includes a more compact living space, and property developers have responded to this trend. Locally, the Amdec Group, South Africa’s leading developer of New Urban lifestyles, is incorporating it in much of their forward-planning.
It’s become a buzzword of modern city living – walkability – but why is there such a focus on making it easier to walk around our neighbourhoods and cities? The answer is simple: walking is good for us.
Urbanisation continues to increase across the globe. According to the United Nations (UN), “The proportion of the world population living in urban areas rose from about 30% in 1950 to 54% in 2015 and is projected to rise to 66% by 2050.” As more and more people move into cities, mixed-use precincts like Harbour Arch are providing solutions to the growing demand for space. Here’s a look at what makes this type of development such a sought-after prospect.
The first residential tower of the Amdec Group’s Harbour Arch development is almost sold out. And this is in spite of a tough property market in Cape Town. So, what is it that makes buying in the city CBD such an attractive option for buyers and investors? There are several reasons, including the following four.