Just in time for summer, there’s a new place to play in Cape Town.

The folks at the V&A Waterfront have been busy, and are almost ready to open the doors to their new R300 million Battery Park development as part of the bigger R1,1 billion Canal District.

The park is set to be complete in October, which is good news for all you parents out there who had no idea how you were going to entertain your kids over the upcoming school holiday.

Also, just in time for the Fitch & Leedes Gin & Tonic Festival – who said there was nothing for the parents?

Here’s Business Insider with the details:

The new 12,000 m² park will give the public unrestricted access to the waterway for water sport activities such as standup paddling, kayaking and even swimming.

It is constructed on top of a four-storey public parking facility, allowing an elevated view of Cape Town and the Waterfront.

The park is named after the Amsterdam battery (a fortified place for heavy guns) which was constructed by the Dutch on the site in 1784.

They basically paved paradise, put up a parking lot, then put paradise on top of the parking lot…?

Paradise will include a skate park, a skate ring, a basketball court and some epic views.

[V&A Waterfront CEO David Green says] “A key focus of the development was also to offer views of the Waterfront and surrounding CBD, as well as retain and enhance the historically important line of sight between the Battery and the Noon Day gun site on Signal Hill.”

Next to the canal will be a series of “niche companies offering specialist services” and restaurants, Green said.

The area will be maintained and patrolled by the V&A Waterfront.

Via BusinessTech, here’s a full breakdown of that R1,1 billion expenditure:

• R700 million for the initial Waterway House development.
• R300 million for developing the new Battery Park and garage, and preserving the remnants of the old Amsterdam Battery.
• R25 million is being invested in the Canal Plaza, and removing the large traffic circle on Dock Road to improve the flow of traffic and to create a safe pedestrian crossing and make it safe for people and highlight the Synchrolift.
• R70 million for the Queens Hotel, Amway Building, old Dock Road and landscaping of open spaces and pedestrian walkways.
• R10 million on additional pedestrian links in Canal District – improving connectivity of Amsterdam Battery Park.

A large chunk of that R1,1 billion is going to the Waterway House development, which promises to be quite a sight:

The 18,000 m2 Waterway House building is the largest in the Canal District and is its commercial hub.

It consists of an office block divided into two distinct wings connected by a walkway in the centre.

The south wing of the Prime Grade office space houses the head office of multinational company British American Tobacco, while the north wing is occupied by Ernst & Young and Stonehage Fleming.

The ground floor of Waterway House is occupied by retail, including showrooms for Ferrari, Porsche, and Baultaup.

Additional retail at Battery Park includes boutique shops and businesses and eateries and coffee shops suitable for a leisurely lunch with friends or a business meeting.

The surrounding area is also being upgraded with new walkways and an upcoming residential development. Waterwise fynbos and other indigenous plants are being introduced in the park to keep up with the citywide water restrictions.

Rad. Sounds like a vibe.

[source:businessinsider&businesstech]