Hotel design

Originally built in the 1920s, the Grain Silo was a thriving grain storage hub in Cape Town and, at the time, it stood as the tallest building in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Rather than demolishing the Grain Silo, V&A Waterfront saw the building’s historic significance and unique aesthetics as an opportunity and acted to make it the centrepiece of the newly rejuvenated Silo District. By repurposing the building’s 42 cellular grain silos, we were able create a distinct and memorable design that complements its new role as an art museum.

As a result of its striking, retrofit design, the Grain Silo has not only become one of Cape Town’s ‘must-see’ destinations, but also demonstrates the significant advantages of sustainable renovation. We prioritised re-use over newbuild wherever possible, minimising embodied carbon across the design, and the result is a globally relevant example of successful industrial adaptive reuse.