The Manhattan

Reframing Urban Hospitality with Calm, Craft, and Contemporary African Elegance

Project Overview

The existing Manhattan Hotel in Pretoria, sought to reimagine its general aesthetic outlook and elevate its status from a 2-star hotel to a 4-star hospitality business retreat. Starting at the main lounge as a refined social anchor for guests and visitors alike, the hotel’s design was overhauled to reflect a composed, contemporary atmosphere that balances urban sophistication with warmth and tactility. Through layered lighting, curated seating compositions, and subtle cultural cues, the hotel can now offer a calm yet confident first impression aligned with modern hospitality expectations.

Client Brief

The client sought to reposition the hotel as the go-to destination for upscale business retreats and stays, thus serving as a muster-point for executives, hence, making it dense with dynamic economic possibilities and improving brand image.
The brief called for a more inviting, premium environment—one that could comfortably accommodate waiting, informal meetings, and quiet moments of pause. The redesign needed to feel timeless with deep cultural roots, operationally efficient and thoughtful enough to enhance guest experience without disrupting the hotel’s daily rhythm.

They wanted:

  • Calm, refined spatial experiences curated, hence, elevating the hotel’s identity.
  • General areas and lounges that with flexible seating to effortlessly support waiting, social interaction, and informal meetings.
  • A timeless aesthetic aligned with contemporary international hospitality standards.
  • Subtle, yet distinct cultural character without overwhelming the space or brand.

Our Approach

Our approach focused on having extended vistas and views that create a sense of peaceful rhythm, and spatial clarity in common areas like the lounges, whilst composing rooms and suites into cocoons of rest and intimacy. We employed systematic zoning, planning and a softened material palette that enhances comfort and visual appeal. Lighting was treated as an architectural element, guiding movement and mood, while furnishings and finishes were carefully selected to balance durability with understated luxury appropriate for a high-traffic hotel environment.

Our Approach
01

Discovery and Concept

Understanding guest flow, dwell time, and the hotel’s repositioning goals informed a calm, refined design direction and solution to client’s needs.

02

Spatial Strategy

The lounge was zoned into intimate seating clusters, encouraging privacy while maintaining openness and visual continuity.

03

Design Interpretation and Materiality

Soft textiles, warm neutrals, rich greens, natural textures and brushed metallic accents create depth, comfort, and visual charm, as well as suggest effortless opulence, well suited to the general palette of a prestigious lot.

Outcome

Outcome

The Manhattan hotel can now begin to compete at a more international scale, serving as a well nurtured environment for enterprise, economy and innovation whilst being a composed urban retreat—welcoming, elegant, and quietly confident. Guests are met with a space that feels both contemporary and grounded, enhancing first impressions and encouraging longer, more comfortable and more productive stays. The redesign successfully elevates The Manhattan Hotel’s interior, reinforcing its positioning as a refined hospitality destination within Pretoria’s urban fabric.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What types of projects does Blanchub specialize in?

We specialize in high-end residential, boutique hospitality, and bespoke commercial projects. Whether it's a private estate, a curated development, or a concept space, each project is tailored with architectural precision and cultural sensitivity.

Do you offer both architecture and interior design services?

We specialize in high-end residential, boutique hospitality, and bespoke commercial projects. Whether it's a private estate, a curated development, or a concept space, each project is tailored with architectural precision and cultural sensitivity.

Can Blanchub work on international projects?

We specialize in high-end residential, boutique hospitality, and bespoke commercial projects. Whether it's a private estate, a curated development, or a concept space, each project is tailored with architectural precision and cultural sensitivity.

How do we start a project with Blanchub?

We specialize in high-end residential, boutique hospitality, and bespoke commercial projects. Whether it's a private estate, a curated development, or a concept space, each project is tailored with architectural precision and cultural sensitivity.