THE SILO HOTEL
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Completed in 1924, the grain silo building has played an integral
part in the development of Cape Town and of South Africa. The
building, once the tallest in Sub-Saharan Africa, standing proudly
at 57m, was used for nearly 80 years as a grain silo providing
crucial infrastructure to the country’s agricultural and industrial
development. The building was reimagined by UK industrial de-
signer Thomas Heatherwick incorporating many of the original
industrial features. The Silo Hotel is located in the grain elevator
portion of the building, which used to sort the grain before con-
veying the grain into the 42 storage silos. The hotel occupies six
floors above what will become the Zeitz Museum Of Contempo-
rary Art Africa (MOCAA).
The redeveloped building beautifully contrasts historic infra-
structure with modern design. This stark contrast between old
and new is augmented by Liz Biden’s lively and eclectic style of
interior design, a quirky distinction from the cold, raw feel of the
building’s exterior.
Located on the ground floor of the silo building, the lobby sets
the scene for the contrast between old and new showcased
throughout the entire hotel. Suspended from the double volume
ceiling hangs Haldane Martin’s contemporary chandelier juxta-
posed against the original grain hoppers.
Mohau Modisakeng’s Ditaola series, commissioned pieces by
Jody Paulsen, Must be the Rain and So Exotic, and Frances Good-
man’s Hooded Lady I, II & III help showcase this contrasting
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 distri-
bution floor of the grain silo working house.
In-room interiors each take their own unique character, carefully
thought out and implemented through Liz Biden’s eye for the ex-
quisite. The beautiful fabric used in the headboard of Room 603
was made by Halsted incorporating Ardmore ceramics first fabric
range – The Qalakabusha range, meaning ‘new beginnings’.
The Oslo chairs in the library have similar fabric insets – a stun-
ning purple fabric called Monkey Bean from the Zambezi Col-
lection – Ardmore’s second fabric range. Hermes have also used
designs from the Ardmore Ceramic Art Studio for their 2016 scarf
collection.
The Willaston Bar is named after the first ship to carry grain from
the silo complex to Europe in 1924, the SS Willaston. The teal
stools made from soft Italian leather were manufactured locally
by Moorgas & Sons, as have the 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
which were handmade in Egypt.
In conclusion, The Silo Hotel is a contemporary space where art,
history, architecture, and luxury travel collide.