A new boutique hotel is set to open in Cape Town in early 2019 and judging by its moniker, it’ll be a head-turner. Gorgeous George will be situated between St. George's Mall and Green Market Square, on the only tree-lined and fully pedestrianized avenue in Cape Town. (The hotel’s address is 118 St Georges Mall; it’s just a one-kilometer walk to V&A Waterfront and Table Mountain.)
The first Cape Town hotel to be a member of Design Hotels, Gorgeous George aims to be a new cultural hub reflecting South Africa’s design scene. Two separate heritage buildings—one that’s Art Deco, and the other in New Edwardian style—are being transformed by Johannesburg-based designer Tristan du Plessis into a 32-room hotel with vibrant public spaces. The young designer established the Studio A design and architecture firm in 2015 and he’s quickly made a name for himself both in South Africa and internationally. Expect industrial design elements like exposed concrete and steelwork, alongside Victorian features.
Construction on Gorgeous George started on January 15, 2018. Highlights will include the rooftop bar and pool, plus the first-floor event and art space, which will, according to a recent press release, “rub shoulders with the neighboring art galleries, niche museums, and intimate theaters.” Indeed in recent years, the international spotlight has been trained on Cape Town for its dynamic cultural scene, particularly with the 2017 launch of Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary Art Africa), located on the V&A Waterfront.
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