As hot-desking becomes the modus operandi of executives jetting between South Africa’s principal cities, a bold new waterfront complex in Cape Town is providing hi-tech home-office accommodation on a scale not seen in this country before.

The US trend of accommodating transient executives in condo-style fully serviced apartments, rather than booking them into hotels, seeded the concept for t’ Waterkant, the final development in the unique waterfront complex taking shape at the Tygervalley Waterfront near Tyger Valley Shopping Centre.

"It is an exceptional development, placing ‘t Waterkant in the forefront of the market for "intelligently wired" buildings." says Heico Property Solutions’ Managing Director, Heidi Aucamp. "The technology built into these apartments means companies have a readymade, fully serviced office and home base for members of staff, which is also an improving asset when it comes to the bottom line, rather than a drain on finances.

M-web connectivity in all apartments – with no additional telephone costs - is proving a drawcard for buyers. They are guaranteed high speed 24-hour internet connectivity inclusive of a virus filtering system, Away service, SMS alert on cellphone and five unique email addresses. The apartments are also satellite enabled for DSTV and come with telephone/data and TV points in both living area and bedroom.

"t’ Waterkant is in the centre of the fastest growing residential and commercial hub of the Western Cape," says Heico’s business development manager Pieter Pepler. "Tyger Valley is becoming the Sandton of Cape Town and this development in TygerFalls is in a prime, prime property spot offering the best quality product – you can’t compare it with anything else built so far in the Western Cape."

The international concept which has been a success in the US and Europe is at the heart of the upmarket new city being developed in Tyger Valley. t’ Waterkant is being created in a continental-style setting of street cafes and floating restaurants and with its 16 retail units completes the TygerFalls development.

Since marketing began on the complex earlier this month, approximately half of the 125 apartments, including most of the penthouses have been sold, some to consortiums of individual investors, others to South African corporates. Aucamp says companies were buying homes for use by their overseas and national consultants, with occupation estimated for 1 December 2004.

Residents will be greeted by a New York-style concierge and have access to a fully equipped gym, sauna, heated pool, rooftop garden and residential entertainment area.

"This is a landmark building to a new social lifestyle," says Pepler. "We expect t’ Waterkant to set a trend for, lock-up-and-go living that incorporates a new level of serviced, home-office comfort."

He says that in terms of management mobility, the serviced apartments were providing a solution for companies setting up satellites in the Cape Unicity area, due to their proximity to the international airport 20-minutes drive away, the N1 and the city. "We are also seeing people from neighbouring offices relocate here, attracted by the facilities," says Pepler."