The Silo Hotel, Cape Town

The Silo Hotel is located in the grain elevator portion of the historic grain silo complex, and occupies six floors above the Zeitz Museum Of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA).

The building was reimagined by UK industrial designer, Thomas Heatherwick from Heatherwick Studio, and incorporates many of the original industrial features, beautifully contrasting a mixture of historic infrastructure with modern design. Designer Liz Biden drew inspiration from her travels and infused the interiors with a lively, eclectic style, and a varied collection of art and artefacts, which stand out against the cold, raw feel of the building’s exterior.

The lobby sets the scene for the contrast between the old and the new showcased throughout. Suspended from the double volume ceiling hangs Haldane Martin’s contemporary chandelier, juxtaposed against the original grain hoppers. Mohau Modisakeng’s Ditaola series, commissioned pieces by Jody Paulsen, and Frances Goodman’s Hooded Lady I, II & III help add to the theme. Continuing up to Level Six, the reception area, Granary Café and Willaston Bar display unique variations of whimsical interior ornaments, colourful contemporary African art, and an original machine head emerging from what was once the distribution floor of the grain silo working house.

In-room interiors each take their own unique character. Beautiful fabric used in the headboard was made by Halsted, incorporating Ardmore ceramics’ first fabric range – The Qalakabusha range, meaning ‘new beginnings’. Each room has its own unique collection of crockery made by The Potter’s Workshop, a philanthropic project designed to empower local communities and develop creative skills in Muizenberg.

Oslo chairs in the library have similar fabric insets, a stunning purple fabric called Monkey Bean from the Zambezi Collection, Ardmore’s second fabric range. The Willaston Bar houses teal stools made from soft Italian leather as well as beautiful, soft velvet sofas. The circular chandeliers on Level 6 are inspired by the steel rings originally used inside the grain elevator, and were made by ADA Lighting. There are 80 crystal chandeliers throughout the hotel, all handmade in Egypt.