What V&A WATERFRONT does

V&A Waterfront is a privately held mixed-use property and destination precinct operator headquartered at Waterway House, 19 Dock Road, Cape Town. Established in 1988 as a Transnet subsidiary and acquired in 2011 by the Government Employees Pension Fund (via the Public Investment Corporation) and Growthpoint Properties, it operates across 123 hectares containing nine districts and 22 heritage sites. The company draws 24 million annual visitors and accounts for 62% of tourism spending across Cape Town's top 20 destinations.

Core offerings span retail leasing (450+ stores, 100,000+ m2 GLA across Victoria Wharf and Alfred Mall); commercial office leasing (~10 blocks including The Ridge, a 6-star Green Star Design building); residential sales and rentals (515-unit V&A Marina, Lawhill, Mountain Marina, Breakwater, totalling R6.1bn in luxury apartment transactions in Cape Town's Atlantic Seaboard/City Bowl during 2025); marine and cruise terminal operations; 7,500+ parking bays across 14 garages; events and filming venues; and the V&A Academy SMME and youth training programmes, including Makers Landing (R63m food hub) and the new Circular Maker Space (June 2026). Supporting infrastructure includes an open-access fibre optic network managed with Dimension Data serving 14 ISP partners and free guest WiFi across the precinct.

Revenue mechanics combine subscription/recurring income from retail, office, and residential leases; transaction/take-rate income from parking and filming permits; marina berthing and cruise terminal fees; and event venue hire. Distribution is anchored by the Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre as primary consumer channel, plus a B2B leasing motion for commercial tenants and a community-led SMME and youth-employment motion via Makers Landing, V&A Academy, and the SMME Support Programme. The pipeline includes the R230m Quay 7 Superyacht Marina (October 2026), Marriott's first Africa Edition hotel (announced December 2025), and a proposed R24bn land reclamation JV between PIC and Growthpoint.

Name

V&A WATERFRONT

Legal name

V&A Waterfront Holdings (Pty) Ltd

Website

https://waterfront.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

V&A Waterfront is a privately held Cape Town-based mixed-use property and destination precinct operator, drawing 24 million annual visitors across 123 hectares of retail, hospitality, residential, marine, and commercial real estate. Owned by GEPF (via PIC) and Growthpoint Properties, it anchors Cape Town tourism with 450+ stores, 10 hotels, and major cultural attractions including Zeitz MOCAA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mixed-Use Real Estate Precinct

NAICS

Traveler Accommodation (7211), Marinas (71393), Port and Harbor Operations (488310), Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (721110)

SIC

Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531), Hotels & Motels (7011), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Luxury Vacation Homes & Residences (THAMAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marina & Waterfront Full-Service Hotels (THAGAAAK), Beachfront & Lakefront Homes (THAMAAAF)

Keywords

• Mixed-use property precinct
• Retail property leasing
• Commercial office leasing
• Marina and marine services
• Destination marketing

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Retail Leasing: The V&A Waterfront generates primary revenue from leasing over 450 retail stores across Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, Alfred Mall, and other precinct areas. The portfolio comprises over 100,000 m2 of retail gross lettable area, including over 400-line shops and 150 craft markets tenants.
2. Commercial Office Leasing: Revenue from leasing approximately 10 office blocks across the precinct to blue chip companies, medium-sized businesses, co-working spaces, medical practices, and creative agencies. Tenants include PwC, EY, British American Tobacco, Deloitte, and others.
3. Residential Sales and Rental: Revenue from the sale and rental of residential units including the Marina (515 residential units across 17 buildings), Lawhill Luxury Apartments, Mountain Marina, and Breakwater. The Marina includes over 200 boat moorings.
4. Parking: Revenue from over 7,500 open-air and underground parking bays across multiple garages including Victoria Wharf, Breakwater, Portswood Square, Ulundi, Clock Tower/Silo, Table Bay Open, Merchant House, The Ridge, Granger Bay, Battery Park, Mall Front, Dock Road Junction, and Cape Town Cruise Terminal. Tariffs range from R10/hour to R120/24 hours.
5. Marina and Marine Services: Revenue from the V&A Marina (515 residential units, 200+ boat moorings), The Harbour, The Marina, Yacht Office, Superyacht Marina (Quay 7 - R230m investment), cruise terminal operations, and the fishing industry. The R230m Quay 7 Superyacht Marina will offer 8 berths (6 stern-in, 2 beam-on) for vessels 30-90m.
6. Conference and Event Venues: Revenue from hiring out conference and event venues across the precinct, including Breakwater Lodge, The LookOut, and other event spaces.
7. Filming and Photography Permits: Revenue from issuing film and photography permits for commercial shoots, with a rate card available for V&A Waterfront and Cape Wheel locations. Personal/non-commercial use is exempt from permits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

V&A Waterfront operates a 123-hectare mixed-use waterfront precinct in Cape Town comprising retail shopping (450+ stores), commercial office space (~10 blocks), residential units (515 marina apartments), hospitality (10 hotels), the working harbour and marina, the Cape Town Cruise Terminal, attractions (Cape Wheel, Zeitz MOCAA, Two Oceans Aquarium), food destinations (Makers Landing, Time Out Market Cape Town), and supporting services (parking for 7,500+ bays, gift cards, free WiFi, V&A Academy, SMME Support Programme). It is a destination leasing and operating business generating revenue from tenants, residents, visitors, and event clients.

Product overview

The V&A Waterfront is a 123-hectare mixed-use precinct in Cape Town welcoming 24 million visitors annually. It operates as a platform of interconnected products and services across retail, hospitality, marine, residential, commercial real estate, attractions, and business support. The core retail offering centers on Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre (450+ stores) and the Watershed craft market, complemented by over 100 restaurants and food destinations including Time Out Market Cape Town and Makers Landing. The marine portfolio includes the working harbour, marina facilities, Cape Town Cruise Terminal, and the newly announced Quay 7 Superyacht Marina (R230m investment). Commercial offerings span approximately 10 office blocks, coworking at Workshop17, and the Green Star-certified Ridge building. Residential options include the 515-unit V&A Marina development and luxury apartments. Supporting services include free WiFi, open access fibre network with 12+ ISP partners, V&A Academy youth training programme, SMME support, parking (7,500+ bays), and gift cards. The precinct also features major attractions including the Cape Wheel, Two Oceans Aquarium, and Zeitz MOCAA museum.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Makers Landing: Food hub located alongside Cape Town Cruise Terminal supporting small food businesses
• V&A Academy
• Workshop17
• Watershed
• Victoria Wharf
• Cape Wheel
• Battery Park
• Silo District

Products and services

• Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre The main shopping centre at the V&A Waterfront with over 450 stores across two levels, featuring international retailers, local boutiques, and dining options. Operates 9AM-9PM Mon-Sun.
• V&A Marina Residential Development Waterfront residential development comprising 515 residential units across 17 buildings (one, two, three-bedroom and penthouses) with over 200 boat moorings, premium security, and communal amenities.
• The Watershed Craft, art and design market in the Dry Dock District with over 150 craft market tenants offering African craft and design products. Open 10AM-6PM Mon-Sun.
• Makers Landing Food Hub Food hub alongside Cape Town Cruise Terminal supporting small food businesses with commercial kitchen spaces (open 24/7) and community facilities. Operates 10AM-6PM Wed-Sun.
• Cape Wheel 40-metre observation wheel offering elevated views across Granger Bay, Robben Island, Table Mountain, Signal Hill, and the Cape Town Stadium. Ticketed attraction.
• Zeitz MOCAA Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa — the largest museum of contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora, housed in the converted historical grain silo. Tenanted attraction.
• Two Oceans Aquarium World-class aquarium featuring marine life from the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, with a 1.5-million litre seawater tank. Tenanted attraction.
• Time Out Market Cape Town 30,000 sq ft foodie destination with 13 kitchens, three bars plus a dedicated wine bar, and a cultural stage curating Cape Town's best chefs, drinks, and cultural experiences. Tenanted attraction.
• Oranjezicht City Farm Market Community farmers-style market held at Granger Bay offering fresh produce from independent local farmers and artisanal food producers; operates Wed 4-9PM, Sat 8AM-2PM, Sun 8:30AM-2PM.
• Commercial Office Space Leasing Approximately 10 office blocks at the precinct leased to blue chip companies, medium-sized businesses, co-working spaces, medical practices, and creative agencies, including PwC, EY, Deloitte, and British American Tobacco.
• The Ridge Commercial Building 6-star Green Star Design certified commercial building in the Portswood District, home to Deloitte Cape Town, featuring a timber facade and ecobricks.
• Workshop17 Coworking Multi-use innovation hub and coworking space at The Watershed hosting over 240 entrepreneurs and professionals in a shared workspace encouraging collaboration and innovation.
• V&A Waterfront Hotels Portfolio Portfolio of 10+ hotels at the precinct including Table Bay Hotel, Cape Grace Hotel, One&Only Cape Town, Radisson Red, Silo Hotel, Commodore Hotel, Portswood Hotel, City Lodge, Dock House Boutique Hotel, Manor House, and Queen Victoria Hotel.
• Parking Facilities Over 7,500 open-air and underground parking bays across 13+ garages with hourly tariffs from R10 to R120 per 24 hours, free weekend parking at Silo, Clock Tower, and Battery Park garages.
• Cape Town Cruise Terminal Operating rights for cruise liner terminal at V&A Waterfront welcoming international cruise passengers with reception, waiting areas, baggage handling, and immigration facilities.
• Quay 7 Superyacht Marina Superyacht marina with 8 berths for vessels 30-90m, dual-purpose supporting year-round catamaran export/commissioning and superyacht berthing, pursuing Gold Anchor accreditation.
• V&A Harbour and Marina Marine Services Working harbour facility including The Harbour, The Marina, and Yacht Office providing berthing and marine services for various vessel types.
• V&A Academy Youth empowerment programme creating job opportunities for under-resourced young people in tourism, retail, and hospitality sectors across the V&A Waterfront, offering training programmes.
• V&A Waterfront Gift Cards Gift cards accepted across retail, dining and attractions at V&A Waterfront; valid for 3 years, available at Information Kiosks, FICA-compliant purchase process.
• World Class Guest WiFi Free WiFi across Victoria Wharf, Silo District, Watershed, Cruise Terminal, and Battery Park requiring only a one-time login splash page, with automatic reconnection on return visits.
• Open Access Fibre Network State-of-the-art fibre optic network throughout V&A Waterfront property, providing open access to 14+ ISP partners including Telkom BCX, Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Neotel, Internet Solutions, Seacom, Vox Telecoms, Cybersmart, Ignite, RSAWEB, eNetworks, Enhanced Internet, and KiboConnect; bandwidth from 1Mbps to 1000Mbps, scalable to 10Gbps.
• Conference and Event Venues Conference and event venues available for corporate gatherings, brand activations, and special events throughout the precinct, including Breakwater Lodge, The LookOut, and the Amphitheatre.
• Filming and Photography Permits Commercial film and photography permits issued for shoots at V&A Waterfront and Cape Wheel locations, with a published rate card; personal/non-commercial use exempt from permits.
• SMME Support Programme Support programme for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises at V&A Waterfront, providing mentorship, training, and business development assistance to small businesses.
• Circular Maker Space Maker space at Cape Town Cruise Terminal providing designers, makers, and creative entrepreneurs with access to tools, networks, and business support, operated by the Craft and Design Institute.
• Battery Park Urban park and recreational area with skate park, water sports, and sports facilities forming the gateway to V&A Waterfront through the Canal District. Operates 9AM-6PM Mon-Sun.

Quantifiable outcome

• R335 billion in cumulative revenue generated historically (as stated on company history page)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Craft and Design Institute (CDI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026The Craft and Design Institute (CDI) operates the Circular Maker Space at the Cape Town Cruise Terminal, funded by the V&A Waterfront. The initiative supports South Africa's creative and circular economy by providing designers, makers, and creative entrepreneurs with access to tools, networks, and business support. The CDI partnership builds on previous SMME support programs including Makers Landing and broader SMME incubation efforts aimed at inclusive economic growth and sustainability.
• Marriott InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 December 2025Marriott International is planning to open Africa's first Edition hotel at Cape Town's V&A Waterfront. This forms part of Marriott's strategy to expand its presence in Africa. The Edition hotel will be positioned near the Quay 7 Superyacht Marina and represent a flagship addition to the V&A's hospitality portfolio.
• Dimension DatacoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2019Dimension Data is the strategic technology partner managing the V&A Waterfront's fibre optic network throughout the property. Appointed as the partner to manage fibre infrastructure installation and operations. Dimension Data coordinates with multiple ISP partners including Telkom BCX, Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Neotel, Internet Solutions, Seacom, Vox Telecoms, Cybersmart, RSAWEB, and others to deliver open access fibre connectivity to all tenants across the precinct.
• Time Out Market Cape TowncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2019Time Out Market Cape Town is a major food and cultural market tenant occupying The Old Power Station Building. The 30,000 sq ft destination features 13 kitchens, three bars plus a dedicated wine bar, and a stage for cultural experiences. It is the first Time Out Market on the African continent and curates Cape Town's best chefs, drinks, and cultural experiences.
• Cape Town Big 7majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019The V&A Waterfront is one of seven partners in the Cape Town Big 7 destination partnership, which includes Cape Point, Groot Constantia, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Robben Island, Table Mountain Cableway, and City Walk. The partnership drives mutual tourism promotion across Cape Town's most iconic attractions.
• Telkom BCX, Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Neotel, Internet Solutions, Seacom, Vox Telecoms, Cybersmart, Ignite, RSAWEB, eNetworks, Enhanced Internet, KiboConnectcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 201914 Internet Service Provider partners deliver fibre connectivity to V&A Waterfront tenants through the Dimension Data-managed open access fibre network. ISPs provide bandwidth options from 1Mbps to 1000Mbps, scalable to 10Gbps on request. This multi-ISP model ensures tenant choice and competitive pricing for connectivity services.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Canal Walk Shopping Centre: Cape Town's largest enclosed regional shopping centre (owned by Hyprop Investments), directly competing with V&A's Victoria Wharf for retail tenants, tourist footfall, and shopper spend in the same metro.
• Century City: Major Cape Town mixed-use precinct integrating residential, retail, office, and hotels under single management - the closest functional analogue to V&A in the same metro, competing for the same resident and tenant base.
• Sandton City: Johannesburg's flagship mixed-use shopping and entertainment precinct (owned by Liberty Two Degrees), combining high-end retail, office towers, and hotels in a similar landlord-driven master-planned model.
• Mall of Africa: Large JHB mixed-use shopping destination developed by Attacq, targeting national shopper traffic with comparable scale (over 130,000 m2 GLA) and anchor tenant strategy similar to V&A's Victoria Wharf.
• Cavendish Square: Prominent Cape Town shopping centre (Hyprop), directly competing in the same metro for retail tenants and consumer spend with a similar high-end positioning.
• Menlyn Park Shopping Centre: One of Africa's largest retail destinations (owned by Pareto Limited), Pretoria-based, competing for national retail tenants and tier-1 brand allocations relevant to V&A's leasing strategy.

Broad incumbents

• Growthpoint Properties: South Africa's largest primary REIT and joint owner of V&A Waterfront, with a broader diversified portfolio across retail, office, and industrial property - the closest institutional comparable for asset-quality benchmarks.
• Redefine Properties: Major JSE-listed diversified REIT operating across office, retail, and industrial property with Cape Town exposure - provides a diversified REIT peer benchmark against V&A's single-asset concentration.

Regional players

• Marina Bay Sands: Iconic Singapore integrated waterfront resort combining luxury hotels, retail, residential, and convention space - serves as a global benchmark for high-density waterfront mixed-use destinations at a different scale.
• Canary Wharf: Major London waterfront mixed-use business and leisure district combining office, retail, and residential at scale - relevant comparator for the office-anchored component of V&A's CBD-adjacent precinct economics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VandAWaterfront
• Facebookfacebook.com/waterfrontsa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vandawaterfront

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about V&A WATERFRONT