Built in 1894, the original Grand Hotel building stood on the corner of Strand and Adderley Streets in Cape Town until it was demolished in 1952. A replica was built at Grand West Casino and Entertainment World in 2000, preserving a piece of the city’s architectural history while adapting it for contemporary needs. We were appointed to extend and refurbish the hotel, to boost its capacity and update its aesthetic appeal.

The project was a successful collaboration our architecture and interior design team, at dhki. It is also a case study that demonstrates the benefits of having consultant teams working together at the outset, to streamline project delivery and produce a quality end result.

The renovation added 68 rooms to the hotel, bringing the total 103 rooms. Two new three-storey wings extend out symmetrically from the original building. The new additions create au-shaped structure on either side of a new port cochere that emphasises the sense of arrival for guests. The wings were designed to match the distinctive pale yellow of the original building, contrasted against the ornate white filigree iron work and a grey slate roof. The existing also building received a facelift to match the new additions.

dhki designed the refurbished interiors to reference the unique history of Cape Town’s art, architecture and natural beauty, blending historical charm with contemporary sophistication. Classical features such as mouldings and dado rails hint at tradition, while the colour palette is more contemporary. Burgundy, cream, white and brown reflect the Cape’s unique floral kingdom and the winelands. The carpets bear the same designs as the original hotel fit-out, while floor tiles in passages replicate an historical design found in Victorian townhouses. The rooms are designed with hints of the original Victorian aesthetic, seen in plush headboards, marble wall coverings and brass fittings. These are complemented by more contemporary touches expressed in the predominantly monochrome colour scheme, along with a combination of geometric decorative elements and more simple expressions on wallpaper, mirrors and lighting featured through the rooms. Soft furnishings reflect earthy tones of ochre, burgundy and taupe. In time, the rooms in the original building will be similarly upgraded to match the new scheme applied to the renovated wings.

The project incorporates a new spa, gym and indoor swimming pool. The spa features clean lines and peaceful muted palette of whites, greys and taupes, creating a peaceful haven for guests. A mud room features pinprick lights inset into the indigo-coloured ceiling, brass handheld shower heads and marble wall cladding. The sauna is fitted with blonde wood benches and brass ironmongery. These are set opposite the private treatment rooms which combine a predominantly white aesthetic, warmed by fittings of darker wood and brass. In the reception and public salon areas, darker wood panelling offers a rich contrast against pristine white furniture and cupboards.

The pool room features large grey wall tiles leading into slightly lighter floor tiles which in turn lead into a sunken infinity pool. The pool itself is set under a soft panel light that features a hint of geometric art deco shapes. While small, the gym is fully fitted with circuit machines and weights sets – just enough to complete a full workout. Most of the materials were sourced from local manufacturers, based either in Cape Town itself or in South Africa, and all upholstery was done locally, in Stellenbosch, supporting the local economy and reducing the environment impact of the materials selected.

‍