Occupying a spot in the grain elevator portion of Cape Town’s historic Grain Silo building, The Silo Hotel is the latest project for renowned brand The Royal Portfolio; a singular property taking up residence in an even more singular architectural wonder.
The Grain Silo in 1924, when it was the tallest building in Sub-Saharan Africa at 57 metres.
Located on the city’s handsome Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront, at the foot of the impressive Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA), the hotel boasts panoramic views of Table Mountain and features 28 decadently-designed guest rooms; The Silo Spa; Willaston Bar; Granary Café; and a stirring rooftop bar and restaurant space where guests enjoy those views whilst basking in the temperate South African climate.
London-based maestros of architectural whimsy, Heatherwick Studio, reimagined the Grain Silo building (once Sub-Saharan Africa’s tallest) which is now home to both the gallery and hotel; adding pillowed glass windows that are bulbous and brilliant — bulging outward with comic book intensity. Come nightfall Heatherwick’s windows transform the building into a glowing lantern; a characterful beacon for the Cape Town harbour.
Liz Biden, owner of The Royal Portfolio, designed and decorated the unrestrained interiors of the hotel ensuring easy room is unique, modern and playful — dripping in opulent luxury — ‘we always wanted to open a hotel in our home city of Cape Town,’ Biden admits. ‘The Silo Hotel is an exciting and ambitious project which we believe will perfectly complement our existing properties and rank among the very best hotels in the world. The building is modern and industrial so the interior design contrasts that with the addition of comfortable, colourful and more playful touches.’
