A combination of public and private sector investment is driving renewed confidence in Cape Town’s Upper Long Street precinct, with property owners, developers and city stakeholders pointing to improvements in safety, urban management and residential development as signs of the area’s continued revitalisation.
Property owners and developers say coordinated efforts by the City of Cape Town, the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID), businesses and community organisations are helping reposition the historic precinct as a mixed-use destination for residents, visitors and investors.
Joy Millar, asset manager at Benzing Properties and a CCID board member, said Upper Long Street’s central location, heritage buildings and transport links have long made it an attractive part of the city, with growing demand now emerging for new businesses, hospitality offerings and housing developments.
The precinct has also attracted significant residential investment. Urban property developer Blok entered the area two years ago with its first Cape Town CBD project in Vredenburg Lane, just off Long Street. Its TENONV development has delivered 152 apartments overlooking the Company’s Garden, with residents recently moving in.
Blok has since announced ELEVENONB, a R650-million residential development that will include retail space aimed at supporting the area’s daytime and nighttime economy.
Blok Founder and CEO Jacques van Embden said the precinct already offers restaurants, retail, public transport, schools and cultural attractions, adding that increasing the residential population would strengthen local businesses, boost foot traffic and contribute to a greater sense of safety through increased activity on the streets.
“Beyond the numbers that are needed to make a development viable, what draws us to a neighbourhood is the quality that already exists there. This isn’t an area that needs to be invented; it already has 35 restaurants, 47 shops, good public transport, a world-class park, schools, gorgeous laneways, and many cultural institutions. It scores well against every dimension of what makes a thriving urban neighbourhood. It just needs more people living in it,” he said.
Safety remains a key focus for investors and businesses. CCID CEO Tasso Evangelinos said the organisation deploys public safety officers throughout the CBD, including Long Street, in partnership with the City and SAPS, with patrols operating around the clock and increased deployments in busy areas at night.
Community organisations are also supporting the precinct’s renewal. Long Street Association chair Romano Simpson said collaboration between property owners, businesses and the City has been central to efforts to improve safety, cleanliness and the overall visitor experience.
According to CCID, independent businesses are also contributing to the changing character of Upper Long Street, with new cafés and retail outlets continuing to open as investment in the precinct gathers momentum. Among them are husband and wife duo Thomas and Natalia Marincowitz, of Hey, Stranger! Coffee Collective, which chose Upper Long as the home for their café.
“We were drawn to the street’s character. The foot traffic creates a strong sense of community and a character that’s distinctly Cape Town. We’re proud to strive to make our café a safe, welcoming and professional place that supports local economic development and allows locals and visitors to connect and experience the vibrancy of the area,” said Natalia.
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