Cape Town’s Mojo Market

WORDS Amelia Brown IMAGES Jan Ras, Supplied

The Mojo Market opened in Sea Point, Cape Town, in April.

“Mojo Market has been carefully curated to offer an interesting mix of lifestyle, food and retail,” said one of the owners, Graeme Robinson. He, Robbie Lessem and Tara Lerner also own the Mojo Hotel (located above the market) and saw this not only as an opportunity to extend the experience for their guests, but to give Sea Point residents a vibrant, engaging new retail and leisure space. This hybrid market’s 80 stalls offer food ranging from local, fresh and healthy to exotic international fare, and retailers selling clothing, gifts, jewellery and homeware.

The open, industrial design of the 2 000m² space (previously a post office, Cash Crusaders and shoe shop, amongst others) is the result of an extensive collaboration, with Megan Grauso of Indigo Fusion, leading the interior architectural layout, and Yvonne Kramer of Jade & Ginja imagining, designing and executing the lighting, finishes, furniture and decor.

“During construction there were numerous changes made to optimise space,” explains architect Anton van Zyl, who has been responsible for turning the plans and ideas into a reality. Electrics, gas, sprinkler systems, council submissions, and the inconsistencies of an old building were just some of the challenges that Anton and the team faced when demolitions began in September 2016. “Creating the market, the food stalls, shops, and seating areas was an ongoing discussion and development until every possible space was utilised to its maximum.”

The retail area faces both inwards (towards a central bar) – “emulating the community hub of a town square,” says Yvonne – and outwards (onto the pavement) on the lower floor with a seating area against the floor-to-ceiling glass wall with views of the sea and palm-lined promenade. A mezzanine adds to the seating on offer.

There were many practical considerations that demanded smart design application: “design following function,” as Yvonne puts it. The awnings, for example, appear decorative, but practically shield the open ground-floor stalls from any debris from the mezzanine seating above. Co-owner Robbie wanted movable and modular furniture, so the booth seats along the window are detachable. Yvonne commissioned joiners Crib Creations to realise this idea as well as other bespoke finishes and furniture pieces, including the bars.

In executing the client’s brief for an industrial, urban feel, while also concealing some of the less attractive structural aspects, Yvonne injected warmth, colour and an element of nature. “Sea Point is becoming a modern concrete and glass high-rise cityscape,” explains Yvonne. “We wanted to literally ‘replant’ trees and timber – even if it had to be an eclectic pastiche.” Touches include wooden-clad posts and abstract wooden trees with LED lights on the mezzanine level, which were simultaneously a clever design fix to a structural problem since lighting could neither be hung due to the ceiling height nor be chased.

The four central columns are painted in muted tones and metallics. A soft peach background once again brings warmth, and playful birdlife illustrations by Gabi Lee, reference nature. In addition to wood, Yvonne used klompie (clay) bricks, mixed metals and dirty Art Deco greens and blues. The interiors are reflective of the varied mix of the market, which in turn mirrors the diversity of Sea Point itself.

The Mojo Market, located on Regent Street, Sea Point, between Church and Clarens Roads, will be open seven days a week, 364 days year (Christmas Day is optional for traders). Summer trading hours are from Mondays to Sundays, 9am – 9pm (food stalls 10am – 10pm), while winter trading hours are from Mondays to Sundays, 9am – 9pm (food stalls 10am – 9pm). Find Mojo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and on the website mojomarket.co.za.