The Townhouse Hotel in Cape Townโs CBD was opened in 1971 by the Petousis family. It was their first hotel development, and the foundation of the Petousis Hotels portfolio which grew to include the iconic Vineyard Hotel in Newlands (which opened in 1981) and the Oude Werf in Stellenbosch (which launched in 2007).
Now, after half a decade of delivering a warm, welcoming home-away-from-home for travellers, the property will close its doors on 31 March 2021.
Lex Petousis, Director and a shareholder of the group, says, โFour years ago, we could see that Cape Townโs inner-city was experiencing a revival. We had a dream for the Townhouse as a mixed-use development and invested significantly in its future role in rejuvenating the city centre precinct. In line with this, several opportunities and partnership models presented themselves to us, and the global pandemic hit.โ
The ongoing challenges that the pandemic has wrought on the hospitality industry drove the decision to close the hotel.
“As a family business, our focus is to continue weathering the global pandemic storm whilst retaining as many jobs as possible and to always offer our guests an exceptional destination experience.”
George Petousis, the group CEO, admits that the decision was a sad one to make; โOur Townhouse team have played such an integral part in the Petousis family story, many of whom have been with us for decades and have invested years of service to delivering our vision and creating memorable experiences for our guests.
โWe are facing another tough year in the hospitality industry with the ongoing effects of Covid. As a family business, our focus is to continue weathering the global pandemic storm whilst retaining as many jobs as possible and to always offer our guests an exceptional destination experience.โ
Murray Clark of Neighbourgood will take over the property and has plans to transform it into a modern mixed-use space for living and working. He says, โOur plans for the property envisage connected communities of young working professionals. This vision aligns well with the revival plans for the precinct and the people who are making the inner city their home for both work and play.โ
The Petousis group will remain โan arms-length property shareholderโ with Neighbourgood, while the property undergoes this transition.
โOur April Townhouse bookings will be transferred and hosted at our luxury Vineyard Hotel in Newlands,โ adds Lex Petousis.
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