[imagesource:rabiepropertygroup]

For a while now the old Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital building has been an eerie empty shell in the CBD, but now the building is having a moment, and being transformed into City Park.

The redevelopment into an exciting mixed-use destination of restaurants, retail and hotels will transform this section of Bree Street.

And great news for savvy travellers is that City Park will soon host the first African address of the quirky colourful hotel brand Mama Shelter.

The new Mama Shelter Cape Town is set to be a drawcard for City Park, with 127 guestrooms across three room categories, and 68 branded residences. Mama Shelter Cape Town will also offer meeting rooms, co-working spaces and a gym, along with a pool deck dishing up seriously good city and mountain views. Also, look out for Mama’s classic all-day dining restaurant on the rooftop.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mama Shelter (@mamashelter)

Since opening in Paris in 2008 with the concept of an ‘urban refuge’, the Mama Shelter brand has expanded to more than a dozen properties worldwide, from Paris to Los Angeles to Dubai, and has become known for creating bold, colourful and ever-so-cheeky destinations.

I had the strange pleasure of spending a few nights in the naughty Paris East Mama Shelter late last year and reckon their presence in Cape Town will be a perfect fit for the Mother City.

Mama Shelter Cape Town will also introduce a new concept for the brand, with the ‘Mama Play’ offering a retro entertainment space complete with ten-pin bowling and karaoke alongside restaurants and bars.

‘Cape Town is a dynamic city that offers something for everyone, so it is the perfect place to introduce our new Mama Play concept,’ says Cedric Gobilliard, brand executive for Mama Shelter at lifestyle and leisure hospitality company Ennismore.

‘More than a hotel, more than a restaurant or a bar, Mama Shelter is a place for living – a place to meet, eat, drink, sing and dream.’

At present there is no opening date set for Mama Shelter Cape Town, but don’t expect to check in before late-2025 at the earliest.

I’m most excited about ten-pin bowling in the CBD – it’s about time.

[source:richardholmes/timeout]