Page 14 - Bulletin 21

11

The Hotels

Prominent hotels in Cape Town, all of which displayed the fashionable art nouveau façade

between 1890-1911, under OCB and SAB ownership were:

OCB.

• The White House Hotel, corner of Strand and Long Street (1893), a redesign by

architect John Parker of the original Albion Hotel. It was demolished in 1973, and the
site is now occupied by Strand Towers, 27 Long Street. (Fig. 1.6.)

• The Hansa Hotel, later Manchester Hotel, was demolished in 1967. The site is now

occupied by Sanlam. (fig. 1.7.)
• The Imperial Hotel corner of Shortmarket and Long Streets (1901). This was another

upgrade by John Parker of the original Imperial Hotel. The building remains today

and for many years was known as The Green Hansom. Today the upper floors are
backpackers’ accommodation. On the ground floor is the Imperial Bar with a coffee-

shop alongside. (Fig. 1.8.)

SAB

• The Alabama Hotel, corner of Bloem and Loop Streets was acquired from the

Martienssen Brewery in 1899. It was initially upgraded in 1900 by George Ransome.
This was followed by a major redesign in 1906 by William Adamson. This attractive

building remains today and the front façade displays a mural of the SS Alabama. The

building is owned by E. W. Sedgwick & Co. (Fig. 1.9.)
• Roux’s Hotel, corner of Bouquet and Hatfield Streets, 1902. The upgrade of the

original hotel (owner A J Roux) by George Ransome was done in 1902 for SAB. It
was renamed the Hotel Belvedere in 1903. (Fig. 1.10.) The roof and the first floor

were demolished in 1961 and the ground floor (now flat-roofed) houses the South

African Police responsible for Parliamentary security.