Cape Town - The R700-million first phase of a new district at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, is underway with a corporate head office for British American Tobacco South Africa (BAT South Africa) as the first project in this mixed-use area.
Totalling 75 000 m² , the mixed-use Canal District straddles both sides of Dock Road. The V&A Waterfront’s acquisition of the Amway and Queen’s Hotel buildings in 2014 has a connection to Buitengracht Street.
The District as a whole ties strongly into the arterial route that connects the city centre to the V&A Waterfront, and into the main pedestrian route that runs along Dock Road.
David Green, CEO of the V&A Waterfront, said: “Demand for commercial space at the V&A Waterfront is driving development in this district. This district is also a piece in the jigsaw puzzle that provides a seamless link through to the CTICC and Cape Town’s CBD.”
With a canal at its heart, as well as a new urban park incorporating the remnants of the historical Amsterdam Battery, the Canal District is essentially the first point of contact with the V&A Waterfront for visitors entering the property from the city centre.
The first building in the District, Amsterdam House, is divided into two at the centre, with the multi-national BAT South Africa occupying 8 000 m² in the south wing.
As with all other V&A Waterfront developments, Amsterdam House has been designed according to best practice green design principles, and is intended to achieve a minimum 5-Star Green Rating using the Green Star SA Office Design VI rating tool.
Completion of Amsterdam House and the car park is expected in November 2016.
IOL, adapted from a press release