Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is to open Taj Cape Town in December 2009. The property has been developed by Eurocape and Indian Hotels Company Ltd – parent company of Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces.

Architects DHK have retained the facades of the The Temple Chambers, also known as the Board of Executors, which was built in 1890, and the South African Reserve Bank building, on St George’s Mall,creating a newbuild tower behind. Singapore-based James Park Associates have created the interiors.

“One of the main attractions of this superb location is the beauty of the old structures. We are preserving the historically significant parts of the building as far as possible, while still providing a modern, world-class hotel and spa experience for our guests. Leading architectural firm dhk have ensured that the project will be an exciting combination, fusing the deep historical character of the existing buildings’ heritage with contemporary interior design by JPA, a Singapore based company,” says Martin Kearns, CEO of Eurocape.

Architects dhk added: “As much as possible of the two historic buildings has been retained and carefully restored and will house the grand public spaces of the hotel, while the contemporary interventions on the site, taking the form of an infill building on St George’s Mall and the new tower that rises out of the centre of the city block, will house the back of house spaces and the hotel rooms.
The challenge has been to celebrate the old and the new equally, creating a synthesis between the historic fabric and the contemporary interventions on the site. This has been done by creating buildings that maintain and echo the architecture of delicacy and elegance and the beautiful craftsmanship embodied in the historic buildings, while speaking of the purpose of the buildings as a ‘place’ for people.

The hotel will include 155 luxury rooms and suites in either the Heritage or Tower sections, and 22 Luxury Residences. The Taj Club floor will offer visiting business guests a dedicated Private Lounge and Butler service.

The hotel’s three restaurants will include Masala Kraft – an Indian speciality restaurant in the old Banking section of the hotel; The Grill – a  contemporary restaurant offering international and local cuisine with an outdoor dining terrace; and The Oyster Bar – a more informal setting with a wide selection of South African wines and fresh seafood.

There will also be a Cocktail Bar and Cigar Lounge. The Meeting rooms and Banquet Hall are located on the first floor of the property with views overlooking St. George’s Cathedral and Table Mountain. , The Jiva Grande Spa will offer authentic Indian and wellbeing treatments and therapies within six organically designed treatment rooms.

www.tajhotels.com
http://www.eurocape.co.za/developments/taj-palace-hotel
http://www.dhk.co.za/
http://www.jpadesign.com/