The International Public Arts Festival and the Investec Cape Town Art Fair have brought Cape Town’s creative landscape into the global spotlight this week.
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And this week has seen the announcement of an exciting new combination of art and hospitality. MEMORIST, a French-based organisation dedicated to “the preservation and valorisation of heritage,” has announced plans to convert an existing Cape Town guesthouse into a groundbreaking boutique hotel and artist residency.
The Lenox, located in the suburb of Gardens just above the city centre, is a cheerful, if dated, guesthouse that is about to be completely renovated.
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This one-of-a-kind project aims to provide a platform for artistic expression and exhibition by hosting up to nine artists each year from South Africa, Africa, and France.
In addition to the artist residencies, The Lenox will open as an arts-focused boutique hotel managed by Newmark, a leading hotel brand. Extensive renovations will restore the hotel’s original gardens, which are currently used as a parking lot, as well as create guest and studio spaces.
‘Our guests travel with purpose, and this will be a uniquely immersive experience,’ says Carl Haller, New Business Developer at Newmark. Guests will be able to interact with the artists in residence, as well as admire their art and work in public areas.
The Lenox, located just a short walk from the Iziko South African National Gallery and other leading galleries and studios, will be at the heart of the city’s creative scene.
Sophie Taïeb, Director of Corporate Development for MEMORIST, explains that the project will incorporate South African art, culture, and craft, creating a space for artistic expression and community gatherings.
It is an exciting new addition to the city’s arts scene, but do not pack your bags yet. There is still a lot of work to be done on The Leonx, which will open in 2026.
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Picture: Supplied