A Bold Reinvention: David Muirhead Transforms the Grand Hotel at GrandWest

The Grand Hotel at GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World has unveiled its striking new Salon Privé, lounge, and dining area – the first milestone in a R30-million renovation that redefines one of Cape Town’s most iconic entertainment destinations. Following months of meticulous planning and design, the transformation signals a new chapter for the property: one that celebrates heritage while embracing a bold, contemporary aesthetic.

“We wanted more than just additional space – we wanted an experience,” says GrandWest General Manager Mervyn Naidoo. “Our interior design specialists have achieved just that.”

Leading the redesign was David Muirhead & Associates, a studio known for crafting richly layered interiors across five-star hotels, private lodges, and exclusive residences. For Muirhead, the project was as much about preservation as reinvention. “The bones were there,” he explains. “The timber work and wall panelling were magnificent, so we kept those elements but opened up the layout by removing dividing walls. The result is a flowing, cohesive space anchored by a large central bar connecting both the Privé and the Union Castle dining room.”

Once a celebration of Cape Town’s seafaring legacy, the Union Castle dining room has retained its nautical spirit, now expressed through a more sophisticated lens. Deep navy panelling wraps the walls, complemented by a geometric navy-and-gold carpet that adds rhythm and refinement. Gold and red accents infuse energy into the space, while the softly lit triple-volume ceiling reveals the intricate beauty of the original glass panels. Corinthian capitals gleam against their dark backdrop, red wall sconces spotlight black-and-white Charles Johnston photographs, and velvet chairs in gold and blue invite guests to linger a little longer. The 94-seat dining room now balances grandeur with intimacy; a space both timeless and tantalisingly new.

The adjacent Privé lounge extends the narrative of contemporary comfort, pairing indulgent textures with expressive detail. Plush couches and chairs, dressed in everything from muted weaves to lively jungle prints, create an atmosphere of relaxed sophistication. The creamy marble bar, lined with blush-pink stools, feels both glamorous and inviting. In the gaming areas, gold and red walls heighten the sense of drama, while the Chinese-themed private room dazzles with a daring crimson palette and a custom-made dragon chandelier.

Above the lounge, a recycled chandelier by a Cape Town artist steals the spotlight – a glittering cascade that captures the spirit of reinvention. Along the bar, a sculptural rectangular fitting made from recycled glass floats like a ribbon of light, its installation spanning two full days.

“We set out to create something bold, colourful, glamorous, and elegant, but also comfortable,” says Muirhead. “It’s contemporary and refined, yet grounded in warmth.”

In the end, the Grand Hotel’s new Salon Privé isn’t simply a renovation; it’s a transformation that radiates confidence, craft, and charisma – a place where heritage and modernity meet beneath a chandelier of light.