New Cape Town hotel gets seal of approval from Architectural Digest

Cape Town’s newest‚ coolest hotel has cracked the Architectural Digest nod. The so-called “international design authority”‚ published monthly in the US since 1920‚ says The Silo will be “party luxury lodge‚ part art museum” when it opens in March.

But at prices starting from R12‚000 a night for one of its 28 rooms‚ not many South Africans are likely to experience it.

Architectural Digest says The Silo‚ above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa at the V&A Waterfront‚ has been designed “to celebrate the city’s many offerings all under one roof”.

“Once the tallest building in sub-Saharan Africa‚ the structure has been refurbished by legendary architect Thomas Heatherwick to include this boutique hotel‚ complete with a spa‚ rooftop pool and café.

 “Heatherwick was tasked with updating the expansive grain factory built in 1924‚ including the elevator tower in which The Silo is located. Although the original design was maintained as much as possible‚ the most obvious addition is the use of pillowed glazing panels‚ glass geometric structures that bulge outward and allow guests spectacular views of the harbour.

“On the sixth floor of the Silo guests will find a weighbridge that provides them with private access to the Zeitz MOCAA sculpture garden‚ as well as the rest of the museum. Inside the hotel you can also find the Willaston Bar which features some of the country’s best wine and spirits‚ as well as the Granary Café run by executive chef Veronica Canha-Hibbert.”