Ennismore and Kasada have signed an agreement to open a Mama Shelter outpost in Cape Town – the group’s first hotel signing in South Africa. 

In December 2023, Kasada and Ingenuity, a prominent property and development company based in the Western Cape, announced an agreement to jointly develop the hotel’s site, which will also include restaurant and retail offerings. 

Situated at the heart of the city, Mama Shelter Cape Town will transform the City Park building, once home to the Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital. The property will comprise 127 guestrooms and 68 branded residences, including 36 studios. Additional amenities will take the form of 213m² of meeting rooms, 380m² of co-working spaces and a gym. An all-day dining restaurant will also find home on the rooftop, alongside a pool and pool deck. 

The hotel’s launch will see the introduction of a new concept for the brand, Mama Play, a 742m² arcade space complete with bowling and karaoke, as well as F&B and event spaces. Ennismore is also set to manage a separate restaurant on the ground floor on Bree Street, under one of its signature F&B brands. 

“We are thrilled to partner with Kasada on the signing of Mama Shelter Cape Town,” says Cedric Gobilliard, Brand COO for Mama Shelter at Ennismore. “More than a hotel, more than a restaurant or a bar, Mama Shelter is a place for living – a place to meet, eat, drink, sing and dream. Cape Town is a dynamic city that offers something for everyone, so it is the perfect place to introduce our new Mama Play concept. This signing marks an important milestone for Ennismore, as it is our first signing for any of our brands in South Africa, an exciting new destination for us.” 

Olivier Granet and David Damiba, Managing Partners and co-CEOs of Kasada, add: “Kasada is excited about bringing our expertise and deep hospitality re-development and investment experience to this landmark building. We are looking forward to creating with Ennismore an exceptional lifestyle property for business and leisure guests and an unmissable destination for the local community that will help to further revitalise this popular part of Cape Town’s CDB.”