A dispute has erupted over plans to redevelop the Nautica office building at The Water Club in Mouille Point, Cape Town, into an eight-storey luxury apartment block with 75 residential units, reports News24.

The proposed development includes luxury flats, a concierge, a fitness centre, a clubhouse, a swimming pool and 116 parking bays, replacing the existing commercial building within the marina estate.

The Water Club Residential Homeowners' Association and several body corporates lodged an appeal against the approval, arguing the development would fundamentally alter the precinct's character.

The development was initially approved by the Municipal Planning Tribunal in November 2025.

However, objectors, including the Water Club Residential Homeowners’ Association and several body corporates, launched an appeal, arguing the project would fundamentally alter the upmarket precinct and unlawfully interfere with long-standing property rights.

The matter was heard by the city’s Planning Appeals Advisory Panel last week, although the city said the approval process had not yet been finalised and remained subject to the outcome of the appeal process.

City spokesperson, Luthando Tyhalibongo, told News24 that the Planning Appeals Advisory Panel’s mandate is to consider appeals and make recommendations on such appeals to the mayor, who is the appeal authority in terms of the Municipal Planning by-law.

‘The panel is therefore not a decision-making body and may only make recommendations for consideration by the appeal authority. As the appeal regarding the approved redevelopment of the Nautica building at the Water Club precinct remains pending, it would be premature for the city to comment on the specific grounds of appeal or allegations raised by objectors at this stage, as the appeal authority has yet to consider both the appeal and the Planning Appeals Advisory Panel’s recommendation,’ he said.

Full News24 report