The restoration and renovation of a historic building in Bree Street in the Cape Town CBD has created the perfect home for haute couture.

A generic office space in a historic Georgian building in Heritage Square in Cape Town has been painstakingly brought back to life by architectural practice Peerutin Karol. The build was completed in May 2022, for Budism Couture – designers and makers of seriously elegant, bespoke women’s couture.

The brand sees this space as the architectural manifestation of its ethos. Its gowns are like works
of art; the Budism Couture team wanted their maison to reflect this, and be akin to a fashion house in Paris. The interior had previously been extensively remodelled, and thus bore little resemblance to its original state, but the architects wanted to respect the building’s exterior, proportions and historic streetscape. This led to extensive discussions with heritage authorities.

The original facade’s garage doors were removed, and a symmetrical front door – more in line with the Georgian proportions – was added. Peerutin Karol also restored and replaced all the windows, before adding an eye-catching security gate that includes metal flowers sourced from craftsmen in the US. They were shipped to Cape Town and incorporated into a handmade wrought-iron-and-glass doorway by Roddy McGuffog of Ferro Classics.

The project also involved extending the original two- storey structure by adding two new floors in the form of a Mansard-style roof. It slopes steeply away from the facade to minimise the visual impact.

Through that decorative door, there was scope for more flexibility. The design crew set to work, gutting the inside of the building and inserting a new, concrete interior structure. Key to the design was the addition of a sculptural, oval-shaped staircase – the perfect place to model beautiful gowns. The stairs initially created a design and construction challenge; after numerous iterations, it was decided that the best option was to cast the staircase in concrete, with a bent sheet-steel balustrade to be fitted together and constructed on site. While it may have had its difficulties, this attention- grabbing labour of love has certainly been worth it – it’s the centrepiece of the space, creating beautiful shapes and intriguing views.

The result of all this problem-solving is a building that’s traditional and ornate at ground level, but that slowly morphs into something more contemporary and minimalist as you move up through it. The glamorous ground floor has all the space required to receive clients, and includes a reception area, and a dressing and fitting room. From there, passages and stairs lead to sewing rooms, a studio and offices on the second and third floors. The top floor holds an entertainment space for guests, which includes a terrace with views of the city skyline. budism.com | peerutinkarol.com

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Nestled on the slopes of Table Mountain, Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa is a stately home transformed into an urban hideaway amid the leafy streets of Upper Wynberg.

For decades Palm House has been a charming fixture in the southern suburbs. And now, with a recent change in ownership, a reimagining of Palm House has infused this grande dame with the elegance and refinement she deserves.

When Max Jong and Shelagh Wood took ownership of the property in mid-2023, they realised that the elegant old home-turned-hotel needed a complete aesthetic overhaul. “We placed enormous energy into curating a new look for Palm House to ensure the feel of the property, that almost indefinable character, was just right,” explains Shelagh.

While retaining key elements of the original house, such as the wood-panelled lobby fireplace, sweeping staircase and first-floor landing, the refurbishment entailed a floor-to-ceiling reboot that paid homage to the original while infusing the hotel with a hint of modernity. In came new herringbone floors that echoed the originals, graceful chandeliers, bespoke wallpapers, and hand-picked artworks. As a result, Palm House exudes opulent charm while retaining a sense of home comfort.

“It was important for us to position Palm House as a real home-from-home for travellers,” says Max, a seasoned traveller with an innate understanding of luxury hospitality. “Whether you’re coming down from Johannesburg for meetings once a week, or jetting in from abroad for the summer, we created a space where people can step through the doors and immediately feel at home.”

The selection of elegant guest rooms and suites are set within the main house and the spacious Palm House gardens.

The Garden Suites – available in one- to three-bedroom configurations – are ideal for multi-generational travellers and those looking for a sense of space and privacy. Each offers a private lounge and sitting area, while private patios step directly onto the wide lawns that lead to the swimming pool terrace.

Stepping through the striking pillared entrance of the century-old main house, the casual charm of the Garden Suites is replaced with a sense of contemporary luxury. Here, original pressed ceilings blend with curated artworks, bespoke wallpapers and richly furnished bedrooms with views of Table Mountain.

At the kitchen’s helm is respected executive chef Gregory Henderson, who brings decades of experience and a passion for sustainability to the dining experience at Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa. Open to both local diners and resident guests, the hotel offers a culinary experience in two parts: casual all-day dining at the Palm Terrace and more creative culinary fare in the elegant dinner-only de Tafel room. The hotel also offers an impressive wine collection centred on boutique Cape estates, with talented sommelier Richard Goza to guide guests through wine pairings over dinner or tutored tastings during the day.

“Cape Town is a multicultural city, and we really want to embrace that across our menus,” adds Henderson. “We want to bring in Indigenous flavours and aromas like buchu, rosemary and wild sage, and we’ll also be offering foraging excursions for people to learn about the wild almonds and bladdernuts, the edible ferns, and of course the edible mushrooms that grow wild in the forests just a short way from the hotel.” 

Offering pure escapism, the Açaí Spa, set just a few steps from the main house, allows guests and day visitors to indulge in the holistic products of Africa’s Healing Earth range. A highlight of the spa is the unique Banya Sauna. Set in a serene courtyard, this traditional barrel-shaped sauna of Nordic pine is ideal for relaxing before a treatment or winding down after a busy day. | palmhouse.co.za

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MEMORIST, MOBILITAS and Newmark Hotels & Reserves have joined forces to forge a groundbreaking artist residency and hospitality initiative centred around The Lenox in Cape Town.

MEMORIST, a branch of the MOBILITAS group, devoted to preserving and celebrating heritage, has partnered with IFAS and the Embassy of France in South Africa to unveil an inspiring initiative: an artist residency in Cape Town.

This visionary collaboration aims to offer a sanctuary for creativity, welcoming up to nine artists annually from South Africa, the continent, and France. It serves as a vibrant platform for artistic expression, echoing France’s commitment to nurturing talent, fostering community ties, and embracing diverse cultural exchanges.

Nestled in the heart of Cape Town’s cultural hub, the historic Lenox building in Gardens, dating back to 1929, stands as the chosen site for this pioneering venture. It will seamlessly blend the elements of an artist residency with those of a boutique hotel, offering an immersive experience in an iconic Cape Town landmark.

“We first looked at this property 10 years ago, and waited for it to come on the market,” says Eddie Horn, Group Facility and Property Manager at MOBILITAS.

“The overall project will be imbued with SA art, culture and craft – we envision it as a place for artistic expression and a meeting place for local people,” says Sophie Taïeb, Director of Corporate Development for MEMORIST. The organization has some background working with South African cultural institutions such as Iziko and the Nelson Mandela Museum, and this will build on the strength of its work and relationships in the country. 

“This is the first such residency we’re establishing in Africa, we’re very excited about the possibility of   creating a modern, cultural experience within an historic environment,” says David Martinon, the Ambassador of France to South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi.

Newmark Hotels & Reserves, a brand that prides itself on its authenticity and bespoke hospitality experiences was drawn to this proposition, for the value it will add to its portfolio. “Our guests travel with purpose and this will be a uniquely immersive experience,” says Carl Haller, New Business Developer at Newmark. The guests will be able to interact with the artists, artists will be able to meet guests and display their art and work in the public areas.

Slated for completion in mid 2026, the reimagining of this Cape Town landmark will require a complete rebuild. The building will be gutted and transformed in consultation with a heritage consultant. In its final form, an entire floor will be dedicated into an artists’ residency, divided into three modular studios – adaptable to the needs of the artists themselves. The reception and communal hotel spaces will also serve as exhibition spaces for the their work.

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On Thursday 9 July 2015, VISI readers got the opportunity to experience Cape Town’s beloved Haas on Buitenkant Street in a unique way.

With delicious Haas canapés and glasses of Graham Beck Brut in hand, guests were welcomed by VISI editor-in-chief Sumien Brink before Haas’s co-owners Francois de Villiers, Glynn Venter and Francois Irvine took the group through the history of this magical heritage building (ghost stories included).

While the public has access to the Haas Coffee space at ground level, the VISI Great Spaces tour, in association with Saint-Gobain, took guests on a tour of the upstairs and mezzanine areas, which houses Haas Advertising.

Guests took home a bottle of Graham Beck Brut and the two latest issues of VISI, including VISI 77, which featured Haas Coffee on the cover.

Want to join VISI on the next tour? Book your spot now!

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