SUN INTERNATIONAL EXPANDS GRANDWEST GRAND HOTEL
Sun International has announced it is investing an initial R122-million to increase the size of GrandWest Grand Hotel . The investment is the first phase of a master plan that envisages developing a separate 250-room , 4-star conference hotel . The Cape Town casino and leisure complex is the largest in South Africa so demand to stay at its existing hotel is high . However , for over 21 years the 4-star boutique hotel has operated at a 99 % occupancy with its 39 rooms booked long in advance .
The first phase of the new development will add an additional 68 additional rooms to the Grand Hotel , bringing the total to 103 . A sod-turning ceremony to mark the occasion was officiated by the Mayor of Cape Town , Geordin Hill-Lewis and Ndavi Nokeri , Miss South Africa 2022 .
The current Grand Hotel is a recreation of an older hotel that used to grace the corner of Adderley and Strand Street , originally built in 1894 and demolished in 1951 . When the existing hotel was constructed , architects used a scaled down version of the first Grand Hotel ’ s 100-year old plans .
Sun International ’ s Development and Infrastructure Manager , Anton Steenkamp said , “ To respect the existing architectural style the design is based on developing two identical threestory wings positioned symmetrically on either side of the existing entrance and porte cochere , which will remain largely unchanged . A new access road will give visitors direct access to the hotel .”
The two new wings will connect the existing hotel on the north and south corners and the new offering will include presidential suites , ordinary suites , double and twin rooms and inter-leading family rooms . A gym , spa and pool are proposed for the ground floor of the southern wing .
SAIA INAUGURATES AMIRA OSMAN AS ITS 70TH PRESIDENT
The South African Institute of Architects recently inaugurated Amira Osman as its 70th President .
Osman is the South African Research Chair in Spatial Transformation ( Positive Change in the Built Environment ). The architectural profession has a critical role to play in the achievement of human settlements that are more equitable , beautiful , and functional , increasing opportunities and offering people a better chance at improving their lives and livelihoods , according to Osman ’ s SAIA Manifesto .
“ Transformation is multi-dimensional ,” she stated . “ Transforming our profession is about how we teach , research , and practice , as well as the demographic profile of the architectural community . Every project and site level intervention has the potential to be transformational .” She invited the Department of Human Settlements to partner with the built environment professions to implement innovative pilot projects where experimentation is promoted . These are seen as critical as policy change .
Osman pointed out that the Department of Home Affairs identifies architecture as a scarce skill , citing President Cyril Ramaphosa ’ s statement in the National Assembly on 3 November 2022 that there is a lack of suitably qualified town planners to assist with urban planning . She questioned whether these are true and why there is a constant side-lining of the South African disciplines that can most assist in achieving spatial transformation , namely the spatial experts , town planners , and architects .
Osman complimented the Department of Human Settlements on the recent passing of new norms and standards for rental housing gazetted in January 2023 . An architect was part of the team that helped in this important milestone , which should be a game changer in achieving quality housing environments “ because design matters . At the heart of the policy is the pursuit of integrated housing environments that provide amenities for residents and seek to transform our cities .”
SAIA presidential chain handover from outgoing president Ruben Reddy to Amira Osman
News Watch 7