Overlooking our oceans – luxury apartments in Cape Town
Probably one of the most sought-after and aspirational places in which to live in South Africa, Cape Town is the city of choice for many citizens, as well as people from other countries who have experienced the exceptional allure, breathtaking beauty, diverse attractions, and laid-back lifestyle of the fairest Cape. Way back in time, who would ever have imagined that a major city with magnificent homes and luxury apartments would ever arise here?
Prior to the establishment of Cape Town, this area was known by sailors, adventurers, voyagers, and cartographers of the time as the Cape of Storms and thereafter as the Cape of Good Hope, once the Dutch VOC (Dutch East India Company) built a rudimentary settlement here, on the southern tip of the African continent.
A place and source of fresh water
Initially, merely surviving in those distant days was difficult, since conditions were harsh at this little settlement which would later become Cape Town. The primary purpose of the Cape settlement was by no means intended to establish a city or a colony; it was purely meant to be a place where the VOC ships could take on board fresh water and food for the sailors manning Dutch vessels en route to and from the Netherlands and the East Indies.
When water all but dried up
It’s rather interesting to note that whilst the Cape in the 17th century was primarily used as a source of fresh water to support Dutch shipping and trade, this region might well have been incapable of providing this basic, but essential liquid, under different circumstances, more akin to those which prevailed in 2017 and the first half of 2018. Here, one thinks of adverse conditions caused by the recent severe drought and the scarcity of water during and immediately after this latter period.
Bigger picture
Looking at the bigger picture, one must also keep in mind that this extreme, long-lasting drought was considered by many to be the worst of its kind in more than 100 years. Variable weather patterns and cyclical phenomena like El Niño and La Niña in Cape Town, the rest of South Africa, and the entire world mean that droughts and resulting water shortages in the future are inevitable; they come and they go away again.
Additionally, South Africa is a water scarce country, so it’s not only the Cape which is likely to be affected from time to time. However, the national government, hand in hand with all co-operative South Africans, is taking action to help prevent or at least alleviate future disastrous weather and water consequences. To this end, October has been declared as National Marine Month, an initiative which we and all our specialised Cape Town estate agents at Fine & Country South Africa support wholeheartedly.
The issues which National Marine Month seeks to address are many because nature and our use of natural resources are interlinked, yet so very diverse. However, in short, National Marine Month is intended to create “awareness of South Africa’s marine and coastal environments, and the benefits that our oceans bring to our nation”. Although the oceans’ influence extends far wider, much of it has to do with climate, weather, rainfall, and water.
Easily managed luxury apartments’ resources
In some ways, luxury apartments in Cape Town have an advantage over other types of properties. Such upmarket apartments tend to be easy to keep clean and maintain, with minimal use of resources that deplete what nature supplies. Apartments, their residents, and their shared common property usually create a somewhat smaller carbon footprint than would normally be the case in the same number of freehold residences.
Many of Cape Town’s most luxurious apartments offer astonishing sea views, overlooking either the all-important Atlantic Ocean or Indian Ocean – the heartbeats of National Marine Month and the nation. This gives our clients an entirely new perspective on their prestigious luxury apartment investments.
