T
he WEX1 building on Albert Road
in Woodstock, Cape Town, is im-
possible to miss. Designed by
Vivid Architects and developed
by Signatura in partnership with
Indigo Properties, it has bright-
yellow steel balconies that catch the eye from the N1
and Main Road, and offer spectacular views of the sea,
mountain and city centre.
The 10-storey building comprises restaurants, retail
outlets and six storeys of private apartments, and, on
the fourth floor, Stock Exchange – a Newmark hotel.
The interior of the hotel with its 33 apartment-style
suites has been designed and curated by Tracy Lee
Lynch and implemented in collaboration with her
team at Studio Leelynch.
On entering the building, you’re greeted by a large
abstract work by artist Paul Senyol that sets the mood
for the aesthetic. Tracy’s brief for the rooms, commu-
nal spaces, atrium, lounge and reception was to create
a space that would inspire visitors. Her response was
to bring the streets of Woodstock inside, using local
designers and suppliers to evoke a sense of the area.
“I was especially interested in sharing the crea-
tive spirit of Woodstock and surrounds,” she says.
“I went about designing three different styles, namely:Urban Jungle, Urban Art and Urban Pattern. My over-
arching design focus was to work with creatives and
designer-makers from the area, so I sourced and col-
laborated on pieces connected to Woodstock.”
Each room also features state-of-the-art applianc-
es for self- catering, including SMEG ovens, hobs and
extractors, and all the creature comforts needed for
a relaxing stay.
As her vision evolved, Tracy proposed a design
map of all the spaces, which would tell guests more
about the products and their makers. “In this way,
visitors will be drawn out into the area,” she says. “My
thinking was that the hotel guests should access the
streets of Woodstock and visit studios and showrooms
to better understand this creative hub with its fasci-
nating history and unexpected beauty.”
Woodstock is known for its street art, so Tracy
commissioned local graffiti artist Mak1one to add
his artistic flair to the rooms. His compositions of the
houses and roads of Woodstock have been converted
into limited-edition archival prints.
“I have been connected to the area for many years- my studio is in The Woodstock Exchange and I lived
close by in Observatory,” Tracy says. “It’s always a go-
to area for sourcing and inspiration. As a designer,
I am aware of the number of inspiring creatives that
are working from spaces in the neighbourhood. The
streets are also visibly full of makers – carpenters spill
out into Albert Road and as you drive along you can
see all the amazing pieces they are making.”
Tracy created an ever-changing exhibition in the
atrium of the hotel, a curated display of local talent
from the area. The trendy communal lounge – com-
plete with a bar, fireplace, pool table and foosball table - leads to the gym and a deck featuring a heated pool
with 180-degree views. The walls are adorned with rugs
from Jambo that Tracy had framed, and a profusion of
plants from Flourish Plant Studio adds a fresh element.
Located in the epicentre of it all, Stock Exchange is
the best place to get a feel of the talent and creativity
that is bountiful in the Woodstock district.
leelynch.co.za
newmarkhotels.com
signatura.biz
vividarchitects.co.za
wexliving.co.za
LEFT AND OPPOSITE In a pod manufactured and installed by Garth
Bellingan of Constructure in the lobby, the backdrop is an enlarged
drawing by graffiti artist Mak1one on magnetic wallpaper, installed
by Robin Sprong. The timber daybed and wall disc by Dan Saks from
Saks Corner were inspired by Mak1one’s drawings. There’s also
an ODI dining chair and Nguni bench by Vogel Design, and black
and white woven pendant lamps by the Cape Town Society for
the Blind. The white TV units are by Studio Leelynch. The stencilled
paintwork on the outside of the pod is by Mark Matthysen.visi.co.za JUNE/JULY 2019 102
�ISI WOODSTOCK HOTEL