Gorgeous George — Cape Town, South Africa
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Bolstering an already expansive design landscape, Gorgeous George has just opened its doors in Cape Town's vibrant inner city. Located between St George’s Mall and the famed Green Market Square, the 32-room boutique property comprises two landmark buildings – one Art Deco, the other Edwardian – originally stitched together in the 1940s and now repurposed by local firm Urbane Citizen Architecture.
Inside, the Johannesburg-based interior designer, Tristan du Plessis has focused on a strong contemporary African aesthetic, dressing the raw, urban bones of the building, like the steel window frames and concrete beams, with a bold palette and pieces from top South African talent including furniture by David Krynauw, Gregor Jenkin, Dokter and Misses and Porky Hefer, whose crocodile swing chair certainly turns heads. ‘I wanted to go with people who were making really unique contemporary African design, like Jenkin, who is taking Victorian-style design and turning it on its head by crafting it in metal,’ explains du Plessis.
Diversions, of course, are dominated by Cape Town's wine, surf and mountain offerings, but don't miss out on Gigi Rooftop, the hotel's plant-filled indoor-outdoor bar, restaurant and pool space, where chef Guy Bennet serves a menu of updated classics – using fresh, local and seasonal ingredients – against a backdrop over downtown and beyond.
ADDRESS
118 St George’s Mall
-
Berlinde de Bruyckere on religion, chaos and decay: ‘simplicity is the territory of humans’
Ahead of her show at Hauser & Wirth Zurich, Limmatstrasse we speak to Belgian sculptor and visual artist Berlinde de Bruyckere on her show ‘A simple prophecy,’ on from 26 January – 13 May 2023
By Martha Elliott • Published
-
Under-the-radar bag labels to know
From New Zealand to Japan, get to know the under-the-radar bag labels eschewing trends in favour of long-lasting good design
By Tilly Macalister-Smith • Published
-
Rala Choi: ‘Now is the time to ask photographers about what photography is’
We profile rising star photographer Rala Choi, whose vivid, ethereal images draw on the legacies of art history
By Sophie Gladstone • Published
-
Visit Istanbul’s architectural gems, best restaurants and a historic bathhouse
What to see and do in Istanbul – from restored architectural treasures to an experimental cocktail bar, a luxurious Turkish bath, and the city’s best kebabs
By Feride Yalav-Heckeroth • Published
-
London tour: from design shopping to exciting dining, architecture and art
Our London tour is a guide to the city’s must-sees of the moment, from Battersea Power Station to a hyperlocal design hub and the best bars and restaurants
By Martha Elliott • Published
-
Visit Valencia in 2023: what to see, from ceramics studios to coffee shops
Visit Valencia, as Wallpaper* contributor Blaire Dessent whisks us from an artful hotel to the birthplace of a classic Spanish cocktail in a design-led guided tour
By Blaire Dessent • Published
-
Cosiest London cocktail bars for this frosty winter season
The best London cocktail bars for winter, from a fairy-lit terrace in Fitzrovia to snug surrounds in Covent Garden
By Martha Elliott • Published
-
Cocktails and concept stores: the ultimate Oslo tour
From an art-filled hotel to earthy cocktails and an in-house distillery, take our design-led Oslo tour – as guided by Wallpaper* contributor Will Jennings
By Will Jennings • Last updated
-
Miami must-sees: discover the best of the city right now
Discover Miami highlights, from cool bars and spas to elevating dining, experiential art and vintage design finds
By Maria Sobrino • Last updated
-
Hong Kong tour: from vertical farming to whisky tasting, plus art, design and dining
Head to Hong Kong and discover the best of the city right now with our design-led guide
By TF Chan • Published
-
Kai Yufuin by Kengo Kuma revisits Japanese farmhouse architecture
Hoshino Resorts has launched Kai Yufuin, a hot spring ryokan hotel by Kengo Kuma on the island of Kyushu in the Ōita Prefecture
By Feride Yalav-Heckeroth • Last updated