Century City (Cape Town)
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[edit] Introduction
Century City is a new suburb of Cape Town conforming to the "new urbanism" of creating integrated neighbourhoods including entertainment, residential, retail and office components. Development began under the vision of Monex Developments in 1998 and explosive growth continues under the new owners, Rabcav Properties. Investment thus far exceeds R5 billion (South African Rand). It is located 10km to the north-east of central Cape Town along the N1 motorway and is traversed by numerous waterways, wetlands and canals.
[edit] Criticism
During initial building phases, Century City's two original developments, Ratanga Junction theme park and Canal Walk shopping centre were thought to become white elephants. Rantanga has run into many monetary issues, however, due to downsizing and off-season closures, it seems to have turned around. Canal Walk has always remained resilient, and with powerful South African retail growth, the 125 000 m2 mall's success has been sealed. There were concerns that Century City would cause decentralisation from the Cape Town central business district. Thanks to city improvement district and urban renewal efforts, this has not happened, and this development remains another commercial node in the Cape Town metropolitan area.
[edit] Developmental Components
Canal Walk is the largest shopping mall in Africa in letable area. Built in "Cape Venetian" architecture for R1,6 billion, the mall contains over 400 stores, 20 movie theatres, many restaurants and bars and an entertainment section, skate park and science centre. Knightsbridge is the newest R275 million residential development, with 15 floors of apartments in two towers, with penthouses located in a 12 storey high bridge across the canal ajoining the two towers. The Colloseum is a mixed use R300 million development, including shops, offices and a hotel. Construction was completed in January 2007. Villa Italia and The Oasis are two multi-storey, multi-building residential developments, the latter catering to the upmarket retirement community. The Island Club was completed in 2005 and is a residential development located around a series of islands and canals opposite Canal Walk shopping centre. Century Gate and The Estuaries are two additional commercial developments, collectively costing R500 million. Century View and the Bougain Villas are two low-density residential developments. Numerous other corporate offices are located in Century City along the N1 motorway. Mercedes-Benz and Daimler/Crysler/Jeep have one-of-a-kind lifestyle centres, which have recently opened adjacent to Canal Walk. Should they be a success, similar such lifestyle centres will be open worldwide.
[edit] Conservation
Built on a wetland area, Century City needed to comply with conservation measures. Intaka Island is a 16hectare wetland area within the development. The wetland naturally cleans the water in the canals and provides a green lung in an otherwise high-density development.
