The Peech

High-quality, lasting value, archetypal and traditional: The Peech in the heart of Johannesburg champions sustainable design - built to last and embodying all these attributes. James Peech, the owner from whom the hotel dating from the 1950s derives its name, acquired the former private residence in 2002 and duly set about developing it into a cult boutique hotel. His aim was always to retain the charm of the former residence while applying timeless design and local handicrafts to create an incomparable atmosphere. The bathroom fittings and furnishing from Duravit fit perfectly into the sophisticated bathroom concept. In collaboration with Meshworks, the award-winning architecture studio headed by Guy Trangos and Catherine de Souz, and Aparna Ramani, the design and furnishings partner, a tranquil, green refuge citing local handicrafts has been created.


Exclusive retreat in an urban setting

The Peech is situated in the heart of vibrant Johannesburg, a city with a population of over five million, not far from South Africa’s capital, Pretoria. Contrary to expectations, the boutique hotel reveals itself to be far removed from any urban hustle and bustle, exuding a calm and elegant atmosphere despite its central location. The lush gardens with swimming pool, covering two hectares, conjure up a quality setting. In addition to a fitness center and function rooms, The Peech also has two restaurants, one of which is reserved exclusively for hotel guests. The second restaurant, the Basalt, is renowned for its local and seasonal cuisine, which combines perfectly with South African wines as a very special way of acquainting guests with South Africa.


African handicrafts and sustainable design

Since it was acquired by James Peech, the hotel has undergone continual expansion. Most recently, in 2017 the Meshworks architecture studio completed a further annex enabling 15 rooms to be added in the tightest of space. The hotel’s design concept combines long-lasting aesthetics with reliable functionality, with a focus on the most sustainable and durable materials possible. The decorative wall hangings are made of rPET, which is produced from recycled plastic bottles, for example. To meet the self-defined sustainable design standards for the hotel, design and furnishings expert Aparna Ramani integrates items produced by regional designers, artists and craftspeople into the individual design of the hotel rooms. Numerous items in The Peech have been designed and produced by a broad variety of talented local artisans, from stonemasons through to carpenters and upholsterers. The rooms thus offer hotel guests an insight into the unique world of African handicrafts.


Outstanding bathroom design reconciles contrasts

The spacious rooms with separate bathrooms in The Peech are decorated in eclectic style, contrasting traditions and modernity in masterly fashion. Sanitary ceramics from Duravit form part of the durable design concept: The striking DuraSquare washbasin by the complete bathrooms specialist from the Black Forest overcomes the apparent contradiction between a precise, rectangular design on the outside and gentle, flowing lines inside the washbasin.
In conjunction with the metal console, the particularly thin-walled washbasin presents great contrasts while maintaining an elegantly weightless appearance.

The console basins from the D-Neo complete bathroom range do without a faucet platform and overflow, and feature a polished underside which allows them to be placed directly on the wooden vanity unit. The combination of ceramics and wood creates an interesting contrast while blending harmoniously into the overall concept. The free-standing Starck bathtub - a creation by French designer Philippe Starck - and the DuraStyle wall-mounted toilet round off the exclusive bathroom design in consummate style.