Iconic Cape Town hotel set for major upgrade with foreign investments

The Lenox building, located in Gardens, has lived through the South African War, the Spanish flu and the rise and fall of apartheid. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hotel was sold on auction in 2021 for more than R25 million.

Since then, the property has undergone some enhancements, such as a fresh coat of paint and tidy hedges. However, The Lenox property is now gearing up for significant improvements thanks to a substantial investment from French-owned Mobilitas, News24 reports.

Mobilitas, the owner of several moving and transportation brands like Stuttaford Van Lines in South Africa, has a history of collaborating with South African cultural institutions such as Iziko and the Nelson Mandela Museum. Their Memorist division will play a role in converting the property into a boutique hotel and artist residence.

This French family-owned company had its sights on the property for more than a decade and seized the opportunity when the pandemic prompted its sale. However, their vision goes beyond a typical heritage hotel – it’s a more refined and nuanced concept.

‘The overall project will be imbued with SA art, culture and craft – we envision it as a place for artistic expression and a meeting place for local people,’ says Sophie Taïeb, director of corporate development at Memorist.

The Lenox is set to become the inaugural residency established by the French Embassy in Africa. David Martinon, the French ambassador to South Africa, says the embassy is ‘very excited about the possibility of creating a modern, cultural experience within a historic environment’.

Newmark Hotels, a company with several properties in Africa (including the Winchester Hotel), will handle the operational aspects of the venture.

The plan is to transform The Lenox into an upscale 47-room boutique hotel, scheduled to open in 2026. This unique hotel will have a strong emphasis on art, featuring a specialised restaurant and conference facilities. The existing parking area will be transformed into a garden, adding a touch of greenery to the surroundings.

The hotel’s distinctive offering includes dedicating an entire floor to accommodate nine artists from both France and Africa. Its strategic location, near the Company’s Garden and Iziko South African National Gallery, serves as a significant attraction for its new artistic focus. Guests at the hotel will have the opportunity to engage directly with the artists, visit their studios, and witness various original works on display.

‘We were drawn to this proposition for the value that it will add to our portfolio. We earmarked the Lenox as a possible future site a decade ago and are excited about the potential that this project poses,’ says Carl Haller, Newmark’s New Business Developer.

by Ilze-Mari Van Zyl