A former Sea Point apartment block has been transformed into the 36-unit Horizon Aparthotel by Totalstay, set to open on 1 May.
Located at 289 Beach Road in Sea Point, the 11-storey hospitality development, Horizon Aparthotel by Totalstay, is preparing to open its doors.
The building was acquired by real estate investment trust Heriot in late 2024 and has since been fully converted from residential apartments into a 36-unit boutique aparthotel.
The completed property offers a mix of one- and two-bedroom units, as well as four two-bedroom penthouses on the upper floors.
Each apartment is equipped with an open-plan kitchenette and living area, with bedrooms featuring en-suite bathrooms.
Several one-bedroom configurations can be combined to form additional two-bedroom units, designed for families or groups travelling together.
The aparthotel will be operated by Totalstay, one of South Africa’s leading aparthotel operators with a portfolio across Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Heriot’s Western Cape portfolio’s Chief Operating Officer, Grant Elliott, said the project represents a deliberate repositioning of an existing building to suit specific market conditions on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard.
“It was about recognising the value of an existing, well-located asset and repurposing it for a different type of accommodation,” Elliot said.
The group wanted to create a hotel where guests, regardless of how long they stay, have the flexibility of a hotel-style offering with self-catering facilities.
Elliott explained that the conversion required a full rethink of the building’s layout and internal configuration. “We approached the redevelopment with the aparthotel market front of mind,” he said.
“More travellers are working remotely or staying for longer periods, so the building needed to support that, in addition to demand from the corporate and leisure stay segments.”
As such, the hotel features spaces that allow guests to work, live, and relax comfortably, while being based in one of Cape Town’s most distinctive beachfront locations.
Horizon reflects growing shift towards hybrid accommodation
Horizon spans 11 floors, including a rooftop penthouse with a private jacuzzi. Units offer views across the Atlantic Ocean or towards the surrounding mountains.
The property also incorporates a restaurant and pool deck, designed as shared guest spaces for residents and visitors, set against the backdrop of Lion’s Head and Signal Hill.
The interiors were designed with an emphasis on functionality and a design approach aligned with the luxury accommodation market.
According to Totalstay CEO Rael Phillips, Horizon reflects a more personal and intuitive way of staying in the city.
“Our experience across the Totalstay portfolio shows that many travellers are looking for space that feels easy to settle into,” Phillips said.
“At Horizon, the intention was to create an environment where everyday rituals can unfold naturally – whether that’s working from a balcony, sharing a slow breakfast, or simply spending time in.”
Importantly, Phillips explained that while the setting is considered, it is never overbearing. It supports the guest experience rather than defining it.
He added that the Horizon hotel forms part of a broader shift in the type of accommodation emerging in urban areas.
Positioned along Sea Point’s Beach Road, the aparthotel offers direct access to the promenade, restaurants and retail areas.
Elliott said he believes that this kind of adaptive reuse is becoming increasingly common in urban property development.
“Cities change. Buildings that were designed for one purpose twenty or thirty years ago don’t always suit how people live or travel today,” he said.
“Converting them into hybrid hospitality spaces is one way of keeping those buildings relevant.”
With construction now complete, the project is moving into its final phase of preparation as the team readies the building for operation and to welcome its first guests. Bookings are now open.
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