I hadn’t been inside Maison Grace for long before I found myself thinking how easily I could spend a day there. An exclusive preview ahead of its official opening revealed a private members’ club that feels less like somewhere to be seen and more like somewhere to settle in.
Warm, dark wood and rich burgundy give way to a series of individually conceived rooms, each with its own purpose and mood. Then there is the combination of light and water: from the bistro, the outlook takes in Cape Town’s working harbour – gritty, beautiful, and constantly changing.
Maison Grace is the V&A Waterfront’s new private members’ club, conceived as somewhere to eat, drink, work for a while, meet people and, importantly, stay. It was developed by Kasada, one of Africa’s leading hospitality investment platforms and the custodian of the iconic Cape Grace, a Fairmont Managed Hotel, just a few steps from the entrance.
Development and launch strategist Samantha Wallace, whose international hospitality and lifestyle background includes Soho House & Co and Aesop, believes Cape Town’s evolution as an international city makes the timing right for a club of this kind.
Members can settle in for the day, although Maison Grace is emphatically not a co-working space: laptops must be closed at 5pm. Photography inside the club is discouraged too, protecting privacy while encouraging people to be present with one another.
That connection is central to Sam’s vision. “Cape Town has really evolved into a global player on the hospitality stage. In London and New York, private members’ spaces have become almost an extension of people’s living rooms, and it makes sense that we’re now seeing that evolution in Cape Town too,” she says.
There are four distinct spaces, including Gracie’s Bar and Lounge and a listening lounge with vinyl decks. Founding members are being asked to contribute records to the library. Members can look forward to events themed around live music and literature evenings, backgammon and expert-led talks. Something new is Vinyl and Vines, pairing small-batch winemakers with the music that influenced them.
Southern Guild has curated the African art throughout, bringing together painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. The works are available for acquisition, effectively turning Maison Grace into a satellite gallery. The food and beverage concept has been developed with Paris Society Consulting, behind Parisian names including Gigi and LouLou.
And the food deserves attention. The sea bass I tasted was quite simply the most tender and flavourful I have ever eaten. The vegan dishes were beyond criticism, and the service superb.
Importantly, Maison Grace isn’t relying on the exclusivity of intentionally limited membership to do the heavy lifting. The hospitality must be good enough to make people want to return. On this first encounter, it is.
Email [email protected] for membership enquiries.
