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70% of Cape Town Properties Shift to Short-Term Rentals

4/1/2026

43 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

In Cape Town, the Sage condo building near the Atlantic Ocean is designed primarily for tourists.
More than a third of its units are reserved for short-term rentals on Airbnb.
Two-bedroom units cost about $350 nightly, about 40% of the median-family monthly income.
A report shows 70% of downtown residential properties are hotel rooms or short-term rentals, sparking a debate over affordable housing.

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Story summary

In Cape Town, the Sage condo building near the Atlantic Ocean is designed primarily for tourists.
More than a third of its units are reserved for short-term rentals on Airbnb.
Two-bedroom units cost about $350 nightly, about 40% of the median-family monthly income.
A report shows 70% of downtown residential properties are hotel rooms or short-term rentals, sparking a debate over affordable housing.