Once a sleepy little residential area sandwiched between bustling central Cape Town and busy Sea Point, Green Point still has a self-contained village feel as you weave up and down its narrow side streets, which date from the era of horse and carriages rather than SUVs. But Green Point is no longer sleepy: a vibrant energy has overflowed from its urban neighbours and a trendy strip of restaurants and bars has grown up on its main road. “Green Point is an up and coming cosmopolitan area, it’s being renovated across the whole strip and is the newest yuppie stretch in Cape Town” says resident, Jason Helman.
One of Green Point’s attractions for most of its residents is how very central it is. “It’s within walking distance of everything from the Waterfront to Seapoint” says Joel Yutar who has lived there his whole life. “I like taking a walk to Seapoint chatting to people on the way, there’s a good community feel.” It’s also close enough to walk to work in the CBD, and if your office is further afield in one of the suburbs, you’re going against the traffic both ways, which adds to the convenience factor.
The Cape Town Stadium is generally accepted as a positive addition, bringing big sports fixtures and concerts to the area, which residents can easily walk to without worrying about parking. “On match days or when there’s a big concert, there is a lot of traffic but it’s well controlled so it’s not an issue,” says Joel.
Perhaps making more of a difference to everyday life for residents is the Green Point Urban Park, developed at the same time as the stadium, a large open space with lakes, a biodiversity garden, an outdoor gym and plenty of room for kids to run, play, cycle and skateboard. “An award-winning community park, it has radically transformed the manner in which Atlantic Seaboard residents (and those from further afield) interact with what’s generally known as the Green Point Common,” comments Martin Jacobs, who grew up in Green Point and now lives in Sea Point “It’s a place to unwind, to exercise, to meet friends for a picnic, it’s a well-maintained outdoor space where moms gather with their babies.”
Eating Out
You can’t talk about Green Point without mentioning the cafes, new and old, the thriving coffee culture and Giovanni’s Deliworld, an authentic Italian deli that has been hip and happening for the last thirty years. “Giovanni’s Deli is an absolute Green Point institution,” says Martin. “It’s always buzzing with a loyal clientele, the owners and staff know many of them by name. The prepared foods are delicious, and it’s the perfect spot to grab some dinner after a late-ish night at the office.”
Once the only trendy spot on an otherwise dull stretch of the main road, the deli is now the centre of a trendy strip of cafes, shops and restaurants for both locals and visitors, with a Spar and liquor store for good measure. “The community tends to centre around all the coffee shops, with the best cappuccinos in Cape Town at Giovanni’s,” adds Jason. “It’s easy to walk everywhere so you often see the same faces and get to know everyone in the local shops.” There’s also an excellent Woolies food close by and, for full on retail therapy within walking distance, you can choose between the Waterfront with all its varied shops, markets, boutiques and high street stores, and the Cape Quarter for trendy boutiques and a great vibe.
Get Fit
As far as fitness goes, to burn off all those coffee-shop calories, Green Point has one of the city’s biggest Virgin Actives within walking distance of most residents, so you can jog to gym and get your whole aerobic workout done in one go. There are also thriving tennis, cricket, rugby and soccer clubs on the open land that is still part of the historic Green Point Common, and the large golf course that wraps around the Stadium and Urban Park. Last but not least there’s the promenade running along the whole sea front from Granger Bay through Mouille Point, Three Anchor Bay and Sea Point, ideal for long sociable walks and daily runs, with the refreshing scent of ocean spray the perfect backdrop to a happening urban lifestyle.
Eat like a local
- Giovanni’s for the best cappuccino in Town and a fabulous deli
- Mano’s for relaxed bistro fare
- Newport Market and Deli for breakfasts and light lunches after a walk on the promenade
- Pigalle for a glitzy dinner with dancing
- Cafe Extrablatt for casual European brasserie vibe and weekend breakfasts
- The Hussar Grill for excellent steaks and classic elegance
Demand
- Properties listed for sale in the Green Point region comprise approximately 12% of the total sale listings in the Atlantic Seaboard area.
- Approximately 12% of the interest (views) in properties for sale in the Atlantic Seaboard area is attributable to properties listed for sale in Green Point.
- Properties listed for rent in the Green Point comprise approximately 14% of the total rental listings in the Atlantic Seaboard area.
- Approximately 15% of the interest (views) in properties for rent in the Atlantic Seaboard area is attributable to properties listed for rent in Green Point.
Median asking prices for Green Point properties
R3,7m For a typical property (two-bedroom apartment)
R6,34m For a property in a complex
R3,07m For a flat or apartment
R10,2m For a house
Median monthly asking prices for Green Point rentals
R20,000: For a typical rental property (two-bedroom apartment)
R25,500: In a complex
R31,220: For a house
R20,900: For a flat
Property types for sale
21% Houses
78% Flats
1% Complexes
Property types for rent
81% Flats/apartments
15% Houses
4% Complexes
Buying in Green Point
The monthly bond repayment to purchase a typical property in Green Point, namely a two-bedroom apartment, with the median asking price of R3,7m, is R34,488 a month over 20 years at prime of 9,5 % with no deposit.
Experience the Atlantic Seaboard here:
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
