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Jul 14, 2008:
Construction work on a Cape Town hotel and urban resort, on which work began in June last year, is now 45% complete
The focus is now moving from the concrete structure to the "vast number" of finishing trades, the co-ordination of which will be an extremely challenging task, says a spokesman for the architects. The anticipated completion date is June 2009. The three main components of the Kerzner One and Only R1bn Waterfront hotel are:
1. A nine storey tower containing 92 suites. This is divided into three segments that are anchored by corner towers containing the lift cores. The structure is crescent-shaped and follows the curve of Dock Road and the marina itself, which it overlooks.
The guestrooms will have full length glazed doors and windows leading out onto balconies. Access to the parking basement is limited to the valet parking attendants who will park guests' cars.
2. A spa resort island. This will be linked by a pedestrian bridge to the hotel.
The spa will provide hair and beauty salons, treatment and massage rooms, relaxation precincts, a yoga pavilion, saunas and vitality pools for a wet therapeutic experience, as well as other facilities.
3. A second island, in the midst of the marina and also linked by a bridge to the mainland (via the spa island). For this Fabian Berman have designed eleven double storey villas containing suites which vary in size from 70sq m to 250sq m. These 40 guest suites, all close to the water's edge, will have the use of a large, very long, naturally shaped swimming pool which will be served by a beachcomber type restaurant. Fabian said his design here would give the precinct "an urban residential feel with an old world charm".
Two additional features are also worth mentioning:
- The triple volume lobby area in the hotel. This is designed in an elliptical shape and is flanked by an "action bar", an all day dining tapas restaurant and an international Nobu restaurant.
This area, in turn, leads into a banqueting hall and a business centre with conference facilities.
- Three double storey penthouses on the top two floors of the tower blocks. Kerzner has already told the press that these could sell in excess of R100m per apartment (one has already found a buyer at R116m). These apartments have between 816sq m and 943sq m of floor space and are possibly the largest penthouses ever erected in the Greater Cape Town area. They will be finished.
Kerzner's brief to Dennis Fabian was apparently to "respect" the site and the dominant design traditions which have been seen in the V & A Waterfront. Fabian and his team have responded to this challenge by incorporating in the hotel design classical features such as double columns, gentle arches and classically spaced and proportioned windows and apertures.
For more information contact Dennis Fabian on 021 418 9500.
