CT hotel has 'topped out'

The Pepper Club, a R400m five-star hotel residence in the Cape Town CBD, has "topped out", which means that the building has reached its maximum height.

This is according to David Solomon, chairman of property development company Solomon Brothers Property Holdings, who adds that plans are on track to open the doors to visitors next February, three months ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Facing onto the city's vibrant Long Street, and bordering Pepper, Bloem and Loop Streets, the towering 20-storey development comprises 220 sectional title apartments which will offer luxury accommodation and all the amenities of a top hotel, including a state-of-the-art fitness centre and spa, swimming pool and sundeck, private movie theatre, 24-hour security and concierge service, and undercover parking. The ground floor will consist of a retail component featuring exclusive boutique outlets, including high-fashion emporiums, restaurants for fine dining and coffee shops, he says.

The apartments range in size from studios of 34sqm to a luxurious duplex penthouse of 371sqm. The penthouse, situated on the 19th and 20th floors, has four en-suite bedrooms, a sundeck, private pool, and outdoor bar and entertainment area. The services of a private concierge and a butler, and housekeeping services can be provided. "We have already received enquiries about the penthouse from local and international businessmen and celebrities," says Solomon.

Two-, three- and four-bedroomed apartments are also available at the hotel, which was designed by Klaus Neumann of MLB Architects. The hotel suites are to be offered for sale to individual buyers and will then be leased out, on behalf of the new owners, as five-star apartment hotel rooms through a rental pool run by experienced hotel operators, says Solomon.

A new concept his company is introducing is to link the five-star city centre hotel with a multi-million rand beach club on the Camps Bay beachfront, offering the hotel's guests preferential treatment at the beach club during their stay.

The beach club, called Pepper Club on the Beach, which is currently under construction on Camps Bay promenade, will include a stylish restaurant where guests can enjoy a lunch or sunset dinner, a cocktail bar and a sophisticated nightclub. The bar lounge will also serve as a "wine route" to showcase the products of top local wine producers and, in addition, the club will prepare gastronomic feasts in the form of picnics for guests to enjoy on Camps Bay beach.

Solomon says while the beach club will be open to the public, The Pepper Club hotel guests will be given preference in being seated in the upmarket restaurant, and will have VIP status for entry to the nightclub. They will also have guaranteed parking facilities opposite the beach, and exclusive use of the beach club's restroom facilities, including private lockers, changing room and showers.

Hotel guests who wish to visit the beach club may even find themselves being chauffeured to the venue in a Rolls-Royce Phantom, one of the fleet of luxury vehicles that The Pepper Club will use to transport guests to and from the airport and business meetings, and on sightseeing trips.

Although the marketing of The Pepper Club has not yet begun, Solomon says the hotel development, where construction began in January 2008, has already excited a huge amount of interest. "We have already started fielding calls from tourists wishing to book for the World Cup next year," he says.

The hotel suites will be marketed to South African and international investors.

Owners of units in the rental pool will have the option of garnering a projected return of 12% per annum or a guaranteed return of 8% per annum for the first two years of ownership. There are also substantial tax incentives to be gained from purchasing in the development, as The Pepper Club falls within a designated urban development zone, he says.

He says luxury hotel penthouses are particularly enticing to hotel guests as they offer services and amenities, security, specialised services and accessibility that a stand-alone house cannot.

He considers the location of the hotel also to be a big plus factor, being in the heart of the city and close to many of its major attractions. "Prices in the Cape Town CBD have shown huge growth in recent years and held up relatively well even during the economic crisis of the past year, partly due to the scarcity of land. Over the past 10 years the city has also undergone a remarkable regeneration, winning it awards both in South Africa and abroad," he says.

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