Construction work is well underway at Tintswalo Atlantic after a devastating fire destroyed the kitchen and public areas of the boutique hotel on Chapman’s Peak Drive (Cape Town), in February 2019.
Fortunately, the guest rooms were left mostly unscathed and the only guest suite that was damaged in the fire, has already been completely refurbished. The re-build is on schedule and the hotel is set to re-open for business in October (2019).
"Witnessing a fire at our beloved lodge for the second time in four years came as a terrible shock but we have been deeply touched by the words of love and support from the travel trade and our loyal guests," says Lisa Goosen, CEO of Tintswalo Lodges says.
"Every tragedy brings the opportunity for renewal, and we are steadfast in our mission to rebuild Tintswalo Atlantic into something even more beautiful than before."
As a symbol of new beginnings, the first thing that was done after the fire was the planting of four large, leafy milkwood trees. These iconic indigenous trees will shade the new deck of Tintswalo Atlantic — the property’s most spectacular feature.
The spacious wooden deck that extends out over the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean, is currently under construction and will soon be ‘the’ spot again for sundowners and for sharing special moments as the sun lingers on the horizon and dips into the blue.
The new deck will be just as striking as before; as builders and carpenters are hard at work cutting, sanding and laying down the planks, along with new full-length glass doors that will be positioned to bring the fresh ocean breeze right inside the dining room and lounge areas. The outside walls and roof are almost complete, and the kitchen area is in place with its unobstructed open view onto the sea, alongside where the dining room and lounges are starting to take shape.
Tintswalo owners, Gaye Corbett and her daughter Lisa Goosen, are on site and busy planning furniture and ordering fabrics, and as soon as the full structure of the buildings are complete, they will start working on the reimagined interiors.