​Gardens, Western Cape

​Gardens at a glance

Gardens

Gardens suburb in Cape Town is an eclectic mix of retro and contemporary architecture where one can expect to find historical buildings interspersed with modern apartments nestled below the peaks of Table Mountain. An established residential area and hub for creative industries, it is fully equipped for urban living, with unrestricted access to the amenities of town including premier shopping, top restaurants, trendy nightlife as well as contemporary arts and culture.

As the initial breadbasket of Cape Town, Gardens is a unique suburb with a rich history and was developed around the original Dutch East India Company Gardens while De Waal Park extends this green corridor connecting the suburb to the mountain.

Taking a stroll through the shaded paths in the converted botanical gardens is a prerequisite where one can find many historical buildings including the Natural History Museum, South African Museum, and Planetarium as well as Tuynhuys, the official Cape Town office of the President of South Africa.

Across the road from the gardens is the world-renowned Mount Nelson hotel, which holds pride of place on Orange Street next to the intimate Labia Theatre, while around the corner trendy Kloof Street beckons with nightlife to entertain all tastes.   

The allure of this suburb is self-evident and with the hustle and bustle of the CBD a few blocks away, it is perfectly situated for people wanting the best of both the quiet suburbs and proximity to town. It is also a short but steep stroll away from the hiking trails of the adjoining mountains and close to the blue flag beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay making it a sought after residential area.

History

Named after the Company Gardens or Dutch East India Company Gardens, this suburb has a heritage that dates to the earliest permanent settlements in the Cape when it was used as a fresh food supply stop for ships navigating round the Cape of Good Hope. The lush botanical gardens, which are now ornamental, still stand as a centrepiece to this heritage with the Oak trees planted by Simon van der Stel over three hundred years ago lining the kilometre-long Government Avenue.

The Fresh River, which originally ran over-ground from the mountain and watered the crops in the gardens, powered several watermills along the way down and ran into the sea near the Castle of Good Hope. It is now under ground and Cape Town High School is located on the original site of one of the mills, the Hope Mill.    

Attractions

The Company Gardens

Feed the squirrels along government avenue while visiting the botanical gardens and explore some of the significant historical sites as well as the superb coffee shop. The gardens are home to the South African Museum, the oldest in the country, which was established in 1825, and 'The Gardens Shul', a small Jewish museum also the oldest in Southern Africa built in 1862. Other spaces to visit within the gardens include The Planetarium, the Iziko National Gallery and the Public Library.

Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

The world renowned five-star Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel is a luxury resort in Gardens that harks back to the Victorian Era and has retained its colonial grandeur. This airy oasis of calm has hosted many famous faces from John Lennon to Nelson Mandela and is a sanctuary in the heart of Cape Town. Visit the Planet Bar and Restaurant for fine dining and embrace tradition with high tea and sandwiches.

Kloof Street

Find plenty of trendy eateries, bars, coffee shops and boutique outlets along the Kloof Street stretch. This street is also a popular nightlife spot with a cosmopolitan buzz and lots of variety from beer gardens and gastro-pubs to DJs and dancing.  

De Waal Park

Child and pet friendly, De Waal park is an expansive greenbelt filled with trees and has lots of shady spots for picnics as well as jungle gyms and swings for the little ones. It hosts free summer concerts on a Sunday and is a great place for the whole family to spend time relaxing.

Molteno Reservoir

One of the earliest reservoirs in Cape Town, this body of water originally catered for all the residents of the city! Good spot for a stroll or run and be sure to keep an eye out for the original (ancient) hand pump for gathering water.

Amenities

Shopping Centres

Gardens Shopping Centre

This conveniently located shopping centre on Mill Street offers visitors and locals alike a one stop shopping destination with a mix of food, beauty, health and craft outlets and is a favourite among residents.

Kloof Lifestyle Centre

Centrally located on Kloof Street, this lifestyle centre offers just that with many speciality stores including food, fashion, fitness, pet health and more as well as the traditional retail outlets and banking services. The convenient underground parking makes shopping here a breeze away from city congestion.

Food and Entertainment

Cafe Paradiso

Rick’s Café Americain

Hudsons Burger Joint

Bombay Bicycle Club

Asoka

Van Hunks

Mount Nelson Planet Restaurant & Bar

Yours Truly

Hotels

Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

Lady Hamilton Hotel

The Fritz Hotel

Kensington Place

Welgelegen Boutique Hotel

Once in Cape Town

Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel

African Pride 15 On Orange Hotel

Derwent House Boutique Hotel

Hippo Boutique Hotel

Schools

Pre-primary Schools

Sugar & Spice Nursery School

Villa Maria Pre-primary School

Primary Schools

St Mary’s Primary School

Jan Van Riebeeck Primary School

High Schools

Jan van Riebeeck High School

Cape Town High School

Lycée Français du Cap (Cape Town French School)

Gardens Commercial High School

Good Hope Seminary High School

Tertiary

City Varsity Cape Town Campus

UCT Michaelis School of Fine Art

Hospitals

Cape Town Mediclinic

Gardens is a unique suburb with an extraordinary mix of natural beauty, historically significant buildings and central location.  For those considering commercial or residential property, Davies Group is your guide to the area and will help you uncover your dream property.