The Silo — Cape Town, South Africa
Located in South Africa’s oldest working harbour against a backdrop of Table Mountain, Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, as popular opinion will tell you, cannot be bettered. And while property development has swept the eternally buzzing area, a few heritage icons have remained untouched. So, when the V&A deliberated on the fate of the country’s former grain silo building, it was a given that it would become something special. Now, some sixteen years after granary operations ceased, the Mother City welcomes its latest gem, The Silo Hotel.
Originally built in 1924, the silo’s grain elevator plays home to the property, occupying the six floors above Zeitz MOCAA – the highly anticipated Museum of Contemporary African Art due to open later this year. Outside, London-based designer Thomas Heatherwick has maintained the landmark’s skyline status as a harbour beacon, with dramatic glass-pillowed windows, bubble-wrapping the façade. All 82 of the Heatherwick Studio creations were locally manufactured and crane-lifted, paying homage to the building’s history as the half-grain geometries glow outwardly at night.
Inside, owner Liz Biden has created eccentric interiors to soften the industrial inheritances. Egyptian chandeliers take advantage of ceiling heights, while the walls are in keeping with the Zeitz MOCAA exhibits below, hosting contemporary African works with commissions from Frances Goodman, Jody Paulsen and Pierre Carl Vermeulen. Most notable in all 28 rooms are the signature bathrooms: equally sized throughout, guests can soak in spectacular city views from the tub, unhindered by the floor-to-ceiling glass portholes. Those seeking out further relaxation can find it in a five-room spa that rounds out the fourth floor.
While a profusion of restaurants are within walking distance, Executive Chef Veronica Canha-Hibbert will tempt most to stay in. The Willaston Bar – named after the first European-bound grain ship to leave the silo complex – is the perfect spot for a cocktail before heading to The Granary, where Canha-Hibbert’s French bistro menu is filled with classics such as bouillabaisse and steak frites. For a simplified menu, the eleventh floor hosts a rooftop bar and restaurant, wrapped by a pool and viewing deck. Atop Sub-Sahara’s once-tallest building, you could be forgiven for thinking you’d experienced the best of the city, without having taken a step out the hotel’s front door.
ADDRESS
Silo Square, V&A Waterfront
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
The Macallan Horizon with Bentley Motors is a decadent whisky with a luxurious twist
The Macallan and Bentley Motors release ‘The Macallan Horizon’, a single malt whisky with a 180-degree twisted presentation
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Ruby Dickson’s Kim Kardashian paintings explore celebrity culture in London
Ruby Dickson’s ‘Maybe my fairy-tale has a different ending than I dreamed it would. But that’s OK’ is exhibiting at Nicoletti gallery, London
By Sam Moore Published
-
Mayfair’s Murano offers beautiful design and incisively cooked food
Angela Hartnett’s Murano celebrates 15 years of Italian supremacy in London with a fresh look by Fabled Studio
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Cape Town: 8 things to do and see for the design-minded traveller
Cape Town is a capital of art, design, food and wellness; local resident Sean O’Toole on the best things to do and see, from a Bree Street meander to a Constantia wine route
By Sean O'Toole Published
-
Villa One at the One & Only Palmilla — Los Cabos, Mexico
By Chadner Navarro Published
-
Martim — Wroclaw, Poland
By Daven Wu Last updated
-
Tattersalls Hotel — Armidale, Australia
By Dimity Noble Last updated
-
KLoé Hotel — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
By Jennifer Choo Last updated
-
Casa Hoyos — San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
By Daven Wu Last updated
-
Littlenap — Hangzhou, China
By Daven Wu Last updated
-
Casa Santa Teresa — Corsica, France
By Daven Wu Last updated