History of the old Reserve Bank building in Cape Town
At the corner of St George’s Mall, adjacent to the magnificent Company Gardens, is the site of the old Reserve Bank building of Cape Town. Today, it is home to the luxury Taj Cape Town hotel, but this grand old building – and the land upon which it was constructed – has a diverse and fascinating history.
When the first settlers to Cape Town established their refreshment station and vegetable garden, the land was used to construct a hospital, which was demolished more than 200 years ago. The site was subsequently rezoned for residential use, and later still, it was purchased by the Reserve Bank.
Construction on the Reserve Bank building, which was designed by eminent local architect James Morris, was completed in 1932, and the building remained untouched until it became the property of the international Taj Hotel Group a few years ago.
Combining modern elegance with old-world glamour
The original Reserve Bank building, which Morris modelled on the Palazzo Pitti in Florence, was not dismantled during the construction of the Taj Cape Town. Rather, its original stately design, now classified as the Heritage area of the hotel, was used as the foundation of the hotel.
This area, complete with sweeping sash windows, high ceilings and marble columns, has been complemented by the contemporary additions of the Towers area of the hotel, which houses luxury hotel suites fit for royalty.
The old Reserve Bank building is located in one of Cape Town’s most historic enclaves, and thus it serves as the ideal location for Taj’s latest heritage hotel. Experience the unique combination of neoclassical architecture and modern innovation when you stay at the 5-star Taj Cape Town hotel.
