High-end Atlantic Seaboard development opens in time for summer season

(Cape Town) – A stylish new destination eatery development, designed by SVA International architects, has opened along Africa’s most coveted real estate location: the Atlantic Seaboard in Cape Town.

Situated on Victoria Road directly across from Camps Bay beach, the double-storey floating glass box was created to maximise the unparalleled views of the tourist strip.

According to the lead architect on the project, Giovanni Dolph, the brief from client Blue Route Coastal Developments was to create a space that epitomised the values of beauty, functionality and simplicity.

“Camps Bay, being a holiday hotspot, is a place where the senses are heightened – the fresh smell of the ocean, the sound of the waves and now the explosion of tastes in the restaurants. And of course with the uninterrupted glass-fronted views, this is also the place to see and be seen.”

Dolph said SVA International’s mandate had been to convert an existing building, which previously housed a downstairs restaurant and upstairs residential unit, into a dedicated dining space.

The construction, which took approximately nine months to complete, was predominantly a rebuild, with only approximately 25% of the original superstructure retained.

“There are two beautiful old classic buildings with elegantly proportioned Romanesque arches bookending the site,” said Dolph.

“This informed our approach to design something simple – an equally elegant and well-proportioned, contemporary glass box that takes full advantage of all the sensory experiences one comes to expect when visiting Camps Bay.”

Covering a total area of 750m2, the development has been tenanted by two new upmarket restaurants that echo the understated elegance of the design.

The 41, which takes its name from the building’s street address, already occupies the ground floor, offering seating for 160 diners inside the restaurant and on the terrace. Sliding glass panels separate the tiered levels, creating a seamless feel between indoors and outdoors, as patrons enjoy breakfast, lunch, sundowners or dinner. DJs on the deck add to the partygoers’ vibe on summer evenings.

Also open for trading from mid-December (ed: Dec 13), diners will find the latest addition to the highly successful Melissa’s The Food Shop stable on the floor above. The newly launched Mantra Café concept will serve a revised menu of three meals a day, with the same emphasis on fresh, wholesome food for which the popular Capetonian brand is known. It also features a cocktail bar, while still offering a select retail range.

Developer Jack Quinlan said SVA International had perfectly captured the design aesthetic he had been looking for in the building.

“I basically gave them carte blanche. My only request was for modern, open lines and to capitalise on the view, which is precisely what they did.”

Quinlan said the team from SVA had been on point right from their vision for the property, through to concept and design, and as principal agents on site.

“The results speak for themselves. Everyone is talking about the building.”

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