Tokyo Hotel
CAPE TOWN CBD | SOUTH AFRICA | ARC ARCHITECTS
Situated on a prominent corner under a heritage overlay zone, and at the core of Cape town cities inner city transformation and heritage protection. A proposal for mixed-use residential was tabled in lieu of the ever-growing demand for densification and tourism.
Due to the sensitivity of the site, the proposed design required the retention and restoration of scale, as a testament to the preservation of the surrounding structures and sites historical fabric. A strategy was developed around achieving the developers’ requirements and feasibility while sympathetically maintaining the scale within the local context. Our approach was aimed at harmonization of the new and old, creating a balanced blend evident in the overall massing form, proportions, details, and material choices. The street frontages were meticulously replicated to match the local and heritage context. Exposed brick, deep apertures and paired back material pallet were connected by tall vertical fins a modern representation of the existing art deco surrounding the site. The base was capped by a simple form clad in glass in an attempt to reflect its neighbours rather then to compete. This also allowed expansive visual connections to Table Mountain from all rooms within the building.
While leading the design studio at ARC Architects, MOKO’s founder Wesley Shankland was fortunate to end his journey with ARC Architects developing the design of Tokyo through inception, design development, heritage and council stages, but was not involved in the construction stages and completion of project in 2023.