"Given its excellent location and proximity to Taj Cape Town, it was the perfect choice for our hotel to establish a banqueting and event venue par excellence," said Michael Pownall, GM of Taj Cape Town.
Large trade shows and conferences with thousands of delegates are already well catered for in Cape Town, but the city still has a need for a venue that is equipped to host up to 400 of the most discerning clientele.
"Having a luxury hotel of Taj Cape Town's standard located next door to an event venue of such grandeur is the ultimate statement in style for banquet guests and conference delegates who are staying with us," explained Willie Williams, director of sales and marketing of Taj Cape Town. "And the proximity has allowed for a service tunnel to be built between the hotel's kitchen and The Reserve at Taj, ensuring our staff will be able to deliver the same impeccable level of service and attention to detail to our function guests that has become synonymous with Taj Cape Town."
A total of 330m2 on the ground floor banking hall allows the venue to host up to 400 guests for a cocktail party, or up to 230 guests at a banquet. For business purposes, the venue can be optimised to cater for up to 300 cinema-seated delegates, or up to 200 delegates seated in a school room format.
"For smaller parties or different streams of delegates, the main hall can be sub-divided into three separate spaces of either 80m² or 200m²; while the original teak-panelled bank manager's office renders service as either an opulent break away room or an elegant cigar lounge," commented Williams.
Access to The Reserve at Taj is gained through the St George's Mall entrance directly adjacent to Taj Cape Town's entrance," explained Williams. "The imposing bronze doors, which open out to Adderley Street, will generally be closed unless specifically requested, while the St George's Mall entrance, conveniently located next door to Taj Cape Town, leads through to a glamorous reception bar and lounge where delegates can be registered or guests can be welcomed with canapés and aperitifs before proceeding through to their main event."
We are very proud of the latest addition to Taj Cape Town's function and event amenities, which complement our existing banquet and corporate venue on the first floor of the refurbished BOE Building with the large sash windows that look out onto St George's Cathedral," remarked Pownall.
"The Reserve at Taj, with green-and-sky rose marble-clad walls that run up into vaulted ceilings 12 metres high, offers an old-world grandeur that will lend a sense of occasion to any event hosted within this heritage-listed building."
Underneath the grand banking hall lies what is perhaps one of the most fascinating parts of the art deco-style building. The basement level comprises almost entirely an original 120m2 walk-in vault that is accessible only via a winding staircase or the classic style open lift, explained Pownall. "This subterranean venue lends itself as a multi-function space that is ideal for intimate banquets, unique corporate events, art installations or whatever the host's creativity may demand.
"It is a privilege to be able to repurpose a historic building of this calibre and pedigree," said Pownall. "Over the last century and beyond, the walls of this historic building have been witness to the business interests of Cape Town's industrial elite, and now with the investment and vision of the Taj Group, we can present this legacy as the city's most iconic venue for banquets and business functions."
To secure The Reserve at Taj, contact moc.sletohjat@nwotepac.gniteuqnab or phone +27 (0)21 819 2000.
