Eurocape – the property development and investment group behind the successful Mandela Rhodes Place initiative – and Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) - Asia’s largest hotel group - are currently constructing a five-star luxury hotel on the corner of St George’s Mall and Wale Street.  Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) owns and operates Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces across the world. 

In a move that makes the most of this area’s immense historic importance and aesthetic appeal, Eurocape and Taj will retain the facades of the old Reserve Bank, Board of Executors and Cape of Good Hope Bank buildings while transforming the combined interior into a signature hotel.

“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.

Once the Taj Palace Hotel opens its doors for business at the end of 2009, Kearns believes it will set the benchmark for other luxury hotels in the city. “The exceptional location, unique combination of old and new architecture, and unsurpassed service that is at the core of the Taj product will place the hotel at the forefront of Cape Town’s luxury accommodation options,” he says.

The hotel is located in the cultural and historic heart of Cape Town’s inner city and will form part of what is to be called the Cathedral Precinct, a predominantly pedestrian environment linking the Company’s Gardens with the city’s popular pedestrian arterial, St George’s Mall. 

The Taj Group confirmed that the hotel will be known as the Taj Palace Hotel. It will be a state-of-the-art 180-key project with the usual range of rooms to cater to a wide variety of travellers, as well as fully-appointed luxury and presidential suites. In keeping with current trends in the property market, fractional and sectional title options will also be available. 

Other facilities will include a gym, a swimming pool, a bar on the corner of Adderley and Wale Streets, conference and business amenities. The Taj Group pays special attention to delivering outstanding wellness centres, and will create a signature Taj Spa where guests will be pampered according to the Indian philosophy of a holistic approach to health and beauty. The Wale Street side will feature a fine-dining Indian cuisine restaurant where understated attention to service will be the order of the day.

The Taj Palace Hotel in Cape Town will be Indian Hotels’ flagship hotel in South Africa.

The South African market has always been part of Indian Hotel’s Indian Ocean rim development strategy. In addition to Cape Town, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is also developing a hotel in Johannesburg.  The company also recently completed its acquisition of The Campton Place in San Francisco. In 2005, Taj Hotels entered into a lease agreement to operate and manage The Pierre, the luxurious landmark hotel on New York City’s Fifth Avenue. The company further assumed full ownership of an 80-year-old landmark hotel in Boston, now re-christened Taj Boston, in January 2007. 

Raymond Bickson, managing director and CEO of Indian Hotels Company Ltd, says the decision to invest in Cape Town is based on the country’s status as the forerunner in tourism and hospitality in sub-Saharan Africa. “We are delighted to partner with Eurocape in our introduction into South Africa.  With our combined experience, Cape Town will soon be able to add a world-class product that promises a truly high-end luxury experience to its tourism offering.”

He adds further that “the country has been growing rapidly as a tourist destination, with tourism being one of the government’s key economic drivers. We want to leverage the potential of the market and Cape Town is recognized as the most developed tourist market in South Africa.”