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.
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.
