Stellenbosch Area Profile

Stellenbosch at a glance

Stellenbosch, located approximately 50 km east of Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa, is a picturesque town nestled alongside the Eerste River and at the base of Stellenbosch Mountain. The area has its own municipality and is home to the acclaimed Stellenbosch University.

In addition to its renowned wine industry, Stellenbosch serves as the headquarters for a variety of companies, ranging from major corporations to smaller businesses. These include the prominent South African bank Capitec Bank, the fast-food chain Hungry Lion, the significant dairy products combination Lactalis South Africa, the leading private hospital group Mediclinic International and the investment holding firm Remgro to name a few. Therefore, Stellenbosch is an ideal place to set roots for any business venture.

On the property hunt, you can find modern offices with top-quality finishes, retail spaces with high visibility and foot traffic, and warehouses with security-rich features. Whether you're starting a business, looking for a new property to buy or rent, or even semigrating your operations to the area, Stellenbosch is sure to impress.

History

Founded in 1679 by the Cape Colony's Governor, Simon van der Stel, the town was aptly named after him, translating to "(van der) Stel's Bush". Its rapid growth led to its establishment as an independent local authority in 1682 and by 1685, it served as the seat of a magistrate overseeing a vast territory of 25,000 square km. In 1690, Stellenbosch welcomed Huguenot refugees, who brought with them a passion for grape cultivation, transforming the fertile valleys around Stellenbosch into the epicentre of South Africa's flourishing wine industry.

Though a school had been established as early as 1683, formal education placed its roots in 1859 with the introduction of a seminary affiliated with the Dutch Reformed Church. The town's educational legacy was further solidified in 1909 when an alumnus of the school, Paul Roos, who had captained the first national rugby team to be known as the Springboks, was appointed as the sixth rector of the institution. Paul Roos held this position until 1940, leaving a lasting mark on Stellenbosch's educational history.

Residential property hotspots

Stellenbosch is a wonderful place to live whether you are a part of a big family, a couple, on your own or looking to retire. The family-friendly area boasts great schools, an abundance of amenities and some lovely attractions to explore. This beautiful suburb offers a variety of residential property types that cater to families of all shapes and sizes. Freestanding homes, apartments, townhouses, clusters and estates are all available within this prominent town. Some of the popular residential suburbs worth noting include Brandwacht, Stellenbosch Central, Dalsig, De Wijnlanden, De Zalze Golf Estate, Devon Park and Jamestown. 

Commercial property hotspots

Stellenbosch is a hub for successful commercial and retail businesses. The vibrant town offers efficient transportation routes, beautifully maintained business parks and retail centres as well as a balanced live/work lifestyle. Due to the high-profile companies including Herotel, Compuscan and Distell Group Limited that call Stellenbosch home, it is no wonder that the town has business owners, entrepreneurs and big corporations flocking to the area to establish roots. 

One of the popular business parks in the area is the notable Techno Park. Technopark, situated on the outskirts of Stellenbosch, stands as a dynamic technology park. While the lush and picturesque surroundings certainly contribute to its allure, what truly distinguishes this office park is its role as a primary choice for South Africa's most progressive enterprises. Technopark states that they are founded on a profound sense of purpose, driven by a vision of innovation and underpinned by a steadfast commitment to sustainability. Whether you are a start-up, entrepreneur or a well-established company, Stellenbosch is the perfect place for your commercial enterprise.

Some of the prime commercial business parks in the area include:

• Techno Park
• Soverby Business Park
• Stellenpark Business Park
• Vineyard Business Park
• Adam Tas Business Park

Some of the prime retail parks in the area include:

• Stellenbosch Square
• Eikestad Mall
• IPic Die Boord Shopping Centre
• De Wet Centre

Industrial property hotspots

When you think of the industrial industry, beautiful scenery doesn't usually come to mind. Well, the industrial sectors within Stellenbosch are not your ordinary parks. Stellenbosch distinguishes itself from other industrial districts in the city with its upscale and well-maintained environment, making it an ideal investment destination for business proprietors. 

One of the industrial parks worth noting is Stellenbosch Agri-Park. Nestled on the outskirts of Stellenbosch in the heart of the Cape Winelands, Stellenbosch Agri-Park occupies an ideal location for enterprises within the agricultural sector. This agri-park provides ample space and convenience to accommodate businesses of varying sizes in the trade and manufacturing industries.

Many major corporations have already chosen this location to establish their distribution facilities. Among them are prominent names such as Distell Ltd, Kap Automotive (Pty) Ltd, Siqualo Foods (Pty) Ltd, Supermix Mining (Pty) Ltd, Sapex (Pty) Ltd and Strobe Placements (Pty) Ltd.

Some of the prime industrial parks in the area include:

• Stellenbosch Agri-Park
• Firgrove Business Park
• Winelands Park
• Blackheath Industrial Park

Transport and infrastructure

Due to the area being so compact, many of the retail, commercial and industrial parks are within walking distance of one another so travelling to the various destinations shouldn't provide any issues, weather permitting of course. 

Stellenbosch does however offer residents and workers multiple modes of transport that are easily accessible. Taxis and shuttles are the most popular forms of transport within Stellenbosch. Here are some of the best-rated ones:

• Zoom Safe Shuttles & Transfers
• SheCab
• Dial a Bus Staff Transport & Shuttle Service
• Go! Shuttle

Stellenbosch is 44 minutes (50,7 km) away from Cape Town via the N2 and Cape Town International Airport is only a 34-minute drive (28,9 km) via the M12.

Stellenbosch municipality is investing significantly in the service delivery, infrastructure development and infrastructure maintenance of the area. Of note are efforts to reduce load shedding in the municipal area, enhance policing and crime prevention, and improve road safety and traffic conditions.

Amenities

Stellenbosch is a vibrant town with loads to do and see. Knowing the top nearby restaurants where you could hold a business meeting, interview, or even pop in on your lunch break for a delicious meal is highly beneficial. A few of the best eateries within the area include Stellenbosch Kitchen, De Volkskombuis Stellenbosch, Tokara Restaurant, Delaire Graff Restaurant, Wijnhuis Wine Bar & Grill, Mont Marie, Spek & Bone and The Fat Butcher.

The acclaimed Mediclinic Stellenbosch Hospital is in the area should you or an employee require emergency medical care. You can be sure that you and your employees will be in good hands as it offers specialised and skilled healthcare. 

Stellenbosch's industrial sector benefits from the presence of world-class educational institutions and research centres, such as Stellenbosch University. Collaborating with the business industry,  many departments offer consultation services, undertake commissioned research, and compile industry reports based on their areas of expertise.

Find where you belong in Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch stands as a thriving commercial, retail and industrial centre, home to an array of renowned companies that have firmly established their presence in the region. As the area continues to prosper, an increasing number of prominent firms are choosing to relocate their headquarters to this distinguished destination. If you would like to know more about the area, book a viewing, or simply wish to browse some of the available properties we have, contact Harcourts Dunn Commercial today.

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