Hilton has reached an agreement with Growthpoint Properties to introduce Canopy by Hilton to Cape Town with a new hotel planned for the city’s historic core. The Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof will offer approximately 150 guestrooms and is scheduled to open in 2021 as the brand’s first property on the African continent.
Introduced in 2014, Canopy by Hilton focuses on locally inspired design, neighborhood-driven experiences and thoughtful amenities that immerse guests in the character of their destination. Since its launch the brand has steadily expanded and currently has more than 35 projects under development worldwide, emphasizing careful selection of locations that reflect the surrounding community.
Location played a central role in selecting the Cape Town site. The new hotel will be situated close to Company’s Garden, one of the city’s most historic public spaces, giving guests easy access to key cultural and civic landmarks. The property will be created through the adaptive reuse of the century-old Longkloof Studios building, a site with a layered past that has housed the United Tobacco Company and, later, the Cape Town Women’s Institute.
Design and programming for the Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof are intended to complement and celebrate the neighborhood rather than dominate it. Plans call for a sensitive renovation that respects the building’s heritage while introducing contemporary touches and local materials, craft and artwork to create an authentic sense of place. Public areas and services will be designed to reflect local tastes and rhythms so that both residents and visitors can connect with the hotel as part of the broader community.
Positioned at the intersection of Park Road and Kloof Street, the hotel will provide convenient access to nearby dining, shopping and cultural attractions, enabling guests to explore the neighborhood on foot. The location also offers straightforward links to central business districts and transport routes, making it suitable for both leisure travelers seeking a neighborhood experience and business guests who value easy connectivity.
The project represents a collaboration between an international hospitality brand and a major regional property owner, meant to bring international standards of service together with local character and urban sensitivity. By converting an existing historic structure rather than building anew, the development aims to contribute to the preservation of Cape Town’s architectural fabric while introducing contemporary hospitality offerings.
When it opens, the Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof will add a neighborhood-focused option to the city’s hotel landscape, offering a blend of modern comfort and local personality. The hotel’s location, adaptive reuse of a historic building and commitment to community-oriented design are central to its identity and expected appeal.