Much of the land between the M3 and Main Road, which runs north-south through the suburb, belongs to the University of Cape Town and is used for residences and sports fields.

The area around Main Road is a mixture of university residences, shops and blocks of flats.

The Cape Town offices of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the South African Bureau of Standards are also located here.

East of Liesbeek Parkway and the river is an area of larger houses, with a more affluent population.

Over 99% of residents had mains electricity, piped drinking water, a flush toilet and regular refuse collection.