A unique double-volume micro loft centrally located in the oldest part of Cape Town; kitted with everything you need and more: a steel & gas kitchen, a book & wine library, comfy sofa, a Queen-size bed and a single-sleeping futon on the mezzanine & a small balcony looking out to Table Mountain too.Our cozy little loft features an architect-designed interior consisting of wood, steel and exposed brick. During it's renovation in 2006 certain original features, including Oregon ceiling beams and parquet floors, where restored to help retain a sense of its Cape heritage. The industrial red-brick wall and orange mosaic in the kitchen and bathroom reflects an element of quirk and youth.It comfortably sleeps 2 people (Queen XL) on an exposed mezzanine level (you climb up a ladder to get into bed), but, if push comes to shove, it can accommodate 4 people* as there is also a single futon bed on the adjacent mezzanine for the 3rd person and the leather sofa on the ground-floor can sleep a 4th. But that guy or gal will probably have to sleep in a sleeping bag (supplied) .
(*Please bear in mind that you'll all be sleeping in the same space – but fortunately the apartment opens up to a balcony leading outside to view of Table Mountain in case someone needs out...)We lived there for 3 years in the good old days (before the kids came along) and it's since been rented out to close friends of ours, but, after their 3 year stint ended, we decided to put the loft on Airbnb instead. It goes without saying that it's fully furnished, it's got WIFI (unlimited broadband connection), it's got a lounge sofa to relax on, it's got a gas-burning stove and all the kitchen stuff to fix your own meals and brew your own coffee (as we love to cook and can't operate without a morning coffee) – and all sorts of odds and ends to make your stay as comfy as possible. The apartment is as central as you can get in Cape Town: it's literally down the road from the famous Green Market Square, up the road from the Grande Parade and City Hall, and round the bend from our version of Central Park - the evergreen Company Gardens, home of many a woodland creature and a great new restaurant too.
The so-called 'Fan Walk' (laid out by the City of Cape Town for the 2010 FIFA Soccer Worldcup) to the Greenpoint Stadium starts right outside – if walking is your thing.The 106 bus is a block away and it will take you up Kloof Street and over the mountain to Camps Bay; so getting to the beach and back is a breeze. The T01 is 4 blocks away and it will take you to the Waterfront for shopping, sight-seeing and eating out.If you rent a car you are welcome to use our secure parking bay in the parking garage across the road. Closer to home is Long Street with all the bars and clubs; Bree Street with all sorts of interesting shops and restaurants; Church Street with galleries and antique markets; tree-lined and car-free St George's Mall with the new Foodlovers Market (open all week) and a more informal open air market on Thursdays for fresh homemade food, cheese, biltong, brownies and other goodies and treats.Back home the history buffs and architecture nerds should note that the loft is located on the top floor of the historical Wellington Fruit Growers Building, a long and skinny landmark sandwiched between Longmarket and Darling street, in downtown Cape Town.This well-known heritage landmark was originally designed by Fred Glennie in 1934, who, prior to setting up his own practice, was an assistant to Sir Herberts Baker's office.
Glennie designed many well-known commercial buildings in Cape Town, such as the Reserve Bank in Wale Street (1928) and the Commercial Union Assurance building, Saint George's Street (1930). He also designed the Royal Hotel at Beaufort West (1931).The original terracotta facade is adorned with ornate carvings of heraldic shields, natural motives and cherubs, and most units still feature original arch windows. In 2005 the complex was converted into mixed and residential use, and now houses 15 apartments, mainly occupied by creative people using the dramatic spaces as both offices and homes.Guests have full access to everything. Guests also have access to The Adderley - a building across the road that has a pool, gym and parking for your rental car.We live about 10 minutes away in Tamboerskloof, and I work about 5 minutes away in the CBD (Hout Street, just up the road); so I can be available if required. Otherwise we can readily be reached over email, text and carrier pigeon.This area is a very old part of town, with lots of history, art deco buildings and interesting areas to explore and discover.
Saint George's Cathedral, The Company's Garden and old Slave Quarters is up the road; City Hall and the Central Library is down the road, and the Grand Parade and the Castle of Good Hope can be seen from the roof of the apartment. Then, across the road, Church Square kicks off your foray into all the nearby coffee shops and restaurants: Milk, Bread and Honey being the closest one. Also close by are the Foodlovers Market, Deluxe Coffeeworks, Dearme, Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar, Clarkes, The House of Machines, La Parada and everything else leading to and fro the famous Greenmarket Square. I'd go as far to say 'everything is in walking distance' but in case you require other transport the closest MyCiti busstop is 5 minutes walk away (we have passes for you, if required), there is a taxi rank around the corner in Adderley, and the train station is about 10 minutes walk away. The most popular MyCiti bus route is the 106 (1 block away) which takes a scenic drive all the way to Campsbay 'over the mountain', and the T01 (4 blocks away) will take you directly to the Waterfront.
Both these buses connect with the Civic Centre stop which will take you everywhere else in Cape Town. The 101 connects to the other parts of town, like the Garden Center (detailed in the guidebook). Lastly, a good way to get your bearings in the city is to jump on a red 'hop-on, hop-off' City Sightseeing bus - closest stop is at St George's Cathedral in Wale Street or Long Street just past Greenmarket Square, both about 5 minutes away.Access to the bedroom is via a small ladder, so you kind of climb into/up to the bedroom. And obviously you climb down in the mornings.Once on the mezzanine level (bedroom level) one can stand upright but the beams prevent one from walking around when upright. I'm 6"2 and we managed relatively well by bending here and there for the three years we lived there. But yes, you will knock your head; maybe more than once. There is no rail on the mezzanine - some view this a potential safety issue, others like the fact that there isn't one as it 'opens the space' to an extent, and an added rail might be trip hazard.