I have worked in commercial property brokerage for more than 13 years and have spent the past three years helping businesses find office space in Century City. During that time, The Estuaries has become one of the locations I regularly recommend to tenants looking for a professional business address with strong day-to-day functionality.
The appeal is not based on the address alone. It comes from the established office environment, access to surrounding amenities, transport connections and the range of offices that can become available within the park.
The Estuaries offers a noticeably different working environment from some of Century City’s busier commercial nodes. While areas closer to Canal Walk and Bridgeways have a more active mixed-use atmosphere, The Estuaries provides a quieter, lower-rise office-park setting.
For businesses that value secure access, fibre connectivity, parking and convenient access to the N1, it is a location worth considering.
View current offices available at The Estuaries
What Is The Estuaries in Century City?
The Estuaries is an established A-grade office park situated in the north-eastern section of Century City in Cape Town.
Development of the office park began during the expansion of Century City’s commercial offering in the 2000s. Since then, it has developed into a recognised business node with a variety of office buildings, sectional-title suites and larger corporate premises.
The park accommodates a broad mix of businesses. Depending on current availability, this may include professional services firms, legal practices, financial businesses, technology-enabled companies, regional offices and corporate head offices.
One of the benefits of The Estuaries is that the office buildings do not all offer exactly the same product. Different buildings and units may provide different layouts, parking allocations, backup-power arrangements and levels of fit-out.
That variety creates more choice, but it also means tenants need to assess each opportunity individually rather than relying only on the general features of the office park.
Why Businesses Consider Office Space at The Estuaries
When tenants approach me about office space in Century City, they usually have several priorities rather than one single requirement.
These commonly include:
A professional environment for staff and clients
Convenient access from different parts of Cape Town
Secure parking
Reliable fibre connectivity
Backup power
Access to public transport
Nearby restaurants, banks and other amenities
Space for future growth
The Estuaries can meet many of these requirements, but the exact offering depends on the specific office and building.
The park has an established corporate identity without feeling overly dense. Many tenants appreciate the quieter environment and landscaped office-park character, particularly when compared with some of Century City’s more active retail and hospitality precincts.
For client-facing businesses, the location also provides a credible commercial address while remaining relatively easy to reach from the Cape Town CBD, Northern Suburbs and surrounding industrial areas.
Location, Road Access and Public Transport
Location remains one of the most important considerations when choosing commercial premises.
The Estuaries benefits from Century City’s connection to the N1 and its surrounding road network. Access into the wider precinct is available from routes including Bosmansdam Road, Sable Road and Ratanga Road.
This creates practical connections for employees commuting from areas such as Cape Town’s CBD, Milnerton, the Northern Suburbs and neighbouring commercial and industrial nodes.
Traffic conditions naturally depend on the time of day, but the presence of several access routes provides alternatives when one entrance is busier than another.
Public transport is another important consideration, especially for companies that want to attract and retain employees who do not travel by private vehicle.
The Estuaries has a named MyCiTi bus stop serving the area, with services connecting through other parts of Century City and towards Century City Rail. The wider precinct is also supported by rail, Golden Arrow and minibus-taxi services.
Businesses can review the latest Century City transport schedules and public transport information when assessing employee commuting requirements.
Before signing a lease, I recommend that businesses compare the location of the actual office with the transport routes used by their current employees. An office may appear well located on a map, but the practical walking route from a transport stop still needs to work for staff.
What Types of Office Space Are Available?
Office availability at The Estuaries changes regularly.
Public and historical listings have shown a range of smaller office suites, medium-sized fitted offices and larger corporate premises. This makes the park relevant to both established smaller businesses and larger companies requiring substantial floor space.
Depending on the unit, layouts may include:
Open-plan work areas
Private offices
Boardrooms and meeting rooms
Reception areas
Kitchens or kitchenettes
Staff pause areas
Server or storage rooms
Ground-floor offices
First-floor offices
Combined or subdivisible areas
Some offices are offered with an existing fit-out, while others may require alterations before occupation.
An existing fit-out can save a tenant a significant amount of money, particularly where the office already has suitable meeting rooms, flooring, ceilings, lighting and kitchen facilities. However, a fitted office is only valuable when the layout works for the incoming business.
A poorly matched layout may still require extensive alterations.
For this reason, I always recommend assessing the usable layout rather than focusing only on the advertised floor area.
Browse current office space to rent in Century City
Understanding Office Rentals at The Estuaries
Commercial office rentals are commonly advertised as a Rand-per-square-metre amount, but this figure does not always represent the complete monthly cost.
The advertised rental may be either a nett rental or a gross rental.
A nett rental generally refers to the core rental charged for the premises. Additional costs such as rates, operating costs, levies, utilities and parking may still be charged separately.
A gross rental usually includes the nett rental together with certain operating costs or property charges. However, “gross” does not automatically mean that every expense is included.
Tenants should request a full occupational-cost breakdown before comparing two properties.
The calculation should confirm:
Nett rental
Operating costs
Rates and taxes
Levies, where applicable
Parking rental
Electricity
Water
Refuse charges
Generator charges
Security or access costs
VAT
Annual escalation
A property with a lower advertised rental can ultimately cost more than another option once parking and additional charges are included.
It is therefore important to compare complete monthly costs rather than relying only on the advertised R/m² amount.
For a more detailed explanation of these costs, read our guide on how to choose office space in Century City.
Parking and Staff Requirements
Parking is an important part of office leasing in Century City.
The Estuaries commonly provides a combination of basement, covered and open parking, but the allocation differs between buildings and units.
Before submitting a lease proposal, tenants should establish:
The number of bays allocated to the office
Whether bays are basement, covered or open
The monthly rental per bay
Whether visitor parking is available
Whether additional bays can be leased
Whether the parking allocation will support future staff growth
A company may find a suitable office layout only to discover that the parking allocation does not meet its operational requirements.
Parking also has a meaningful effect on the total occupational cost. This is especially relevant for businesses with a high number of staff members in relation to their office size.
Backup Power and Fibre Connectivity
Fibre connectivity is available across the wider Century City precinct and is one of the reasons the area continues to attract technology-dependent and professional businesses.
However, tenants should still confirm which fibre providers serve the individual building and whether the office has an active connection.
Backup power also needs to be checked on a building-by-building and unit-by-unit basis.
Many listings at The Estuaries refer to generator-backed buildings, but the extent of the backup may differ.
A tenant should confirm whether the generator supports:
Common areas
Access-control systems
Essential lighting
Office plug points
Server rooms
Lifts
Air-conditioning
The entire premises
The phrase “backup power” can mean very different things depending on the building.
A business that relies on cloud-based systems, call-centre operations or uninterrupted online services should obtain a detailed explanation before committing to the premises.
Amenities Near The Estuaries
One of the wider benefits of working in Century City is the range of amenities available within the precinct.
Canal Walk Shopping Centre provides access to restaurants, coffee shops, banks, retail stores, pharmacies and essential services. Businesses can also access nearby hotels, gyms, conference facilities and medical services.
Intercare Century City provides medical and day-hospital services within the broader precinct, while the Century City Conference Centre offers event and meeting facilities for businesses that require larger venues.
The surrounding area also includes several hotels, making it convenient for companies receiving visitors from other provinces or countries.
These amenities may not all be located directly outside the office door, but they remain within the broader Century City environment and contribute to the practicality of the location.
For employers, this can make the working day easier for staff. For client-facing companies, it creates convenient options for meetings, accommodation and corporate events.
Sustainability at The Estuaries
Sustainability credentials vary between the buildings at The Estuaries.
Estuaries Plaza, for example, has received recognised environmental credentials, including a four-star Green Star rating and Net Zero recognition. More information is available in Century City’s official guide to green buildings in the precinct.
These credentials should not automatically be applied to every office or building within the wider park.
Companies with environmental, ESG or internal sustainability requirements should confirm the certification and operating features of the specific building they are considering.
Relevant questions may include water efficiency, energy usage, waste management, natural lighting and access to public transport.
The Estuaries Compared with Other Century City Office Nodes
Century City contains several distinct office precincts, and each offers a different working environment.
The Estuaries
The Estuaries generally suits businesses looking for a secure, established and lower-rise office-park setting with access to the N1 and public transport.
Bridgeways and Century City Square
Bridgeways provides a more urban, mixed-use environment with nearby hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, gyms and the Century City Conference Centre.
It may suit businesses that prioritise walkability to hospitality and entertainment amenities.
Central Park and the Canal Walk Precinct
Central Park and offices closer to Canal Walk offer strong access to retail, public transport and the central Century City environment.
These nodes may feel busier but can be highly convenient for staff and clients.
Smaller Sectional-Title Office Parks
Century City also has smaller business parks and sectional-title developments that may suit small businesses, owner-occupiers and boutique professional firms.
The right option depends on the company’s budget, parking needs, branding requirements, staff profile and preferred working environment.
There is no single office precinct that is right for every tenant.
Businesses can compare the different nodes, rental levels and market conditions in our Century City commercial property market guide.
Questions to Ask Before Signing a Lease
Before committing to office space at The Estuaries, I recommend confirming the following:
What is the complete monthly occupational cost?
Is the advertised rental nett or gross?
What additional costs are excluded?
How many parking bays are allocated?
What backup-power arrangement applies to the specific unit?
Does the generator support air-conditioning?
Which fibre providers are available?
Is the office fitted, partially fitted or white-boxed?
Will the landlord provide a tenant installation allowance?
Is beneficial occupation available for fit-out work?
What annual rental escalation will apply?
Can the office accommodate future staff growth?
When is the unit available for occupation?
Are signage rights available?
What reinstatement obligations will apply at the end of the lease?
These details should be considered together.
A generous tenant installation allowance, for example, may be linked to a longer lease term or a higher rental. A lower starting rental may also be offset by a higher annual escalation.
The full lease structure is more important than any one incentive.
Is The Estuaries Right for Your Business?
The Estuaries may be particularly suitable for:
Professional services firms
Legal and financial businesses
Technology companies
Consulting firms
Regional offices
Corporate head offices
Growing small and medium-sized businesses
Companies that require secure parking
Businesses that depend on fibre connectivity
Employers seeking access to public transport
Companies that prefer immediate walking access to a large number of restaurants and hotels may also want to compare The Estuaries with Bridgeways or the central Century City precinct.
The best approach is to inspect several options before making a decision.
An office that looks suitable online may feel very different once the layout, parking, surrounding buildings and access routes are viewed in person.
View Office Space at The Estuaries with Brightwave Property
If you are considering office space at The Estuaries, start by identifying your preferred size, occupation date, parking requirement and monthly budget.
Brightwave Property can assist with:
Current vacancy information
Suitable office shortlists
Property viewings
Rental comparisons
Complete occupational-cost calculations
Parking requirements
Lease proposals
Tenant installation discussions
Beneficial occupation negotiations
Alternative office options in Century City
Tell us what your business needs, and we will compare the most suitable opportunities at The Estuaries with other available office space in Century City.
Contact Brightwave Property to arrange a viewing
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is The Estuaries located?
The Estuaries is an established office park situated in Century City, Cape Town, with buildings positioned around Oxbow Crescent and the surrounding commercial node.
What office sizes are available at The Estuaries?
Availability changes regularly. The office park has historically accommodated smaller suites, medium-sized offices and larger corporate premises. View the latest offices available at The Estuaries before arranging a viewing.
Does The Estuaries have backup power?
A number of buildings and offices at The Estuaries advertise backup power, but the exact coverage differs. Tenants should confirm what the generator supports in the specific building and unit.
Is fibre available at The Estuaries?
Fibre connectivity is available within the wider Century City precinct. The available providers and connection status should still be confirmed for the particular office.
Is public transport available near The Estuaries?
Yes. The area has a named MyCiTi stop and connects to Century City’s broader public-transport network, including services towards Century City Rail.
Is parking available?
Most offices are offered with an allocation of basement, covered or open parking. The number of bays and monthly parking rental depend on the specific unit.
How much does office space at The Estuaries cost?
Rental rates depend on the office size, building, condition, fit-out, parking, lease term and additional property costs. Tenants should compare the full occupational cost rather than only the advertised R/m² rental.
How can I arrange a viewing?
Contact Brightwave Property with your required office size, occupation date, parking needs and budget. We can confirm current availability and arrange viewings of suitable offices at The Estuaries and elsewhere in Century City.
