Gorgeous George: Cool Design-Focused Hotel Opens in Downtown Cape Town

Gorgeous George, a fresh new design-focused hotel on St George’s Mall has become the first hotel in Cape Town to join the Design Hotels stable, a hand-selected worldwide collection of privately owned and operated hotels.

Created out of two beautifully restored heritage buildings, Gorgeous George is more than a hotel. It is here where refined design and quality meet, an inner-city gathering place for locals and the well-travelled.

Contemporary South African meets heritage design

Originally built by the United Building Society, the hotel’s entrance is Art Deco, while the conjoined building boasts traits of the New Edwardian style of the 1940s. The uniting design embraces each building’s architectural features, while at the same time allowing for different moods depending on the viewer’s perspective, for instance, one façade has window frames of steel while another has the original oak surrounds. Interesting concrete and steel structures are incorporated throughout the hotel.

The biggest challenge in marrying the two buildings was their different heights, and the solution gave rise to the tower that hosts the rooftop pool, and allowed for the bar and restaurant to be on the same level as the pool. There’s also a first floor event space that can accommodate up to 150 people seated banquet style.

“We wanted to take this fantastic conjoined building that has a rich history of Cape Town and create a modern, timeless hotel using South African designers as part of the design DNA,” says international award-winning interior designer Tristan du Plessis, who was responsible for the hotel’s interior. Each of the 32 rooms expresses South African contemporary style, interlaced with a vintage edge.

Du Plessis has used carefully chosen South African art pieces and furniture that capture the chic look and feel of downtown Cape Town. Lighting and furniture were sourced from David Krynauw, Gregor Jenkin, Studio 19, Douglas&Co, and Dokter and Misses, with a feature crocodile swing chair from Porky Hefer, while murals from artist David Brits are featured throughout. The foyer is home to an intricate mural created by Cape Town artist Lucie De Moyencourt. The Delft inspired masterpiece is made of 1 800 hand painted tiles depicting a map of Cape Town.

Top chef and mixologist on the staff

Guy Bennett, who cut his culinary teeth in the kitchens of top South African chefs Reuben Riffel, Michael Deg and Bertus Basson, and most recently helmed Grand Provence in Franschhoek, will be the Executive Chef. With an extensive knowledge and passion for food, Guy uses his experience to create fresh and inspirational dishes to thrill the palates of both local foodies and international travellers. “We want people to come for lunch and stay for dinner,” says Neilen Tolmay, General Manager of Gorgeous George.

Gorgeous cocktails made by renowned mixologist Jody Rahme are served at the rooftop bar overlooking the cityscape. Jody began his mixology journey in Johannesburg at Sin + Tax bar before joining Gorgeous George.

The location of Gorgeous George in the picturesque tree-lined St George’s Mall will give guests a different perspective on the city and enable it to become a magnet for international and locals looking to enjoy the buzz in a beautiful setting. “We want to create an interactive social hub for everyone to enjoy,” says Tolmay.

Joining the Design Hotels stable

Design Hotels was established in Germany in 1993 and spans the globe in over 50 countries, from mountain tops to world capitals. Member hotels reflect innovative design and architecture, with a strong cultural rooting in hospitality. “Hotels have to create a truly unique and inspiring locally driven experience for travellers staying at them,” explains Tolmay.

Being part of the group will expose Gorgeous George to a large community of travellers looking for an inventive and novel experience that will make their stay special, with an original downtown Cape Town feel.

For further information please visit our website: www.gorgeousgeorge.co.za/