A Fresh Cemcrete Makeover for an Iconic Cape Town Restaurant

One of Cape Town’s oldest restaurants and an iconic Heritage building has been restored and transformed into the beautiful new Harbour House. Keeping the original form and structure of the building, the space features a white interior with Cemcrete cement-based floors, rustic stone walls and floor-to-ceiling windows, with sweeping views of the valley and the Constantiaberg mountain range from pretty much every seat in the house.

Today we take you on a tour of this iconic destination restaurant, showcasing its new lease on life. Constantia is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in SA, and right at the top of the Nek, you’ll find Harbour House propped on top of the hill. The restaurant has a wide selection of award-winning wines from the surrounding Constantia wine farms, as well as other wine producing areas in and around the Western Cape. With seating for between 80 and 100 people, the light and airy space exudes elegance, perfect for both a la carte dining and private events.

Floor-to-ceiling windows ensure that the rolling landscape views can be enjoyed throughout the space. Double doors open onto the sustainable herb garden, which is used in the kitchen. Subtle, pared-back decor keeps the interior simple, with the heritage building’s original architecture intact. Stone walls, Cemcrete floors, herringbone brickwork and fresh, white interiors complement the rustic feel of the space. For the flooring Cemcrete’s Colour Hardener in the colour Stone was used, adding the perfect casual yet trendy vibe to the new design. Cement finishes are not uniform in colour, this adds to the adaptable earthy aesthetic of the finish. The nature of a cement finish lies in its application and physical properties, as the finish is applied, so its moisture is absorbed at different rates into the substrate. The final outcome is a finish with natural mottling and subtle movement. The newly renovated Harbour House is officially open for you to enjoy their spacious courtyard, breathtaking views, delicious menu and stunning floors.