It’s the world’s tallest building made with industrial hemp
The world’s tallest building made with blocks of industrial hemp “concrete” known as hempcrete is nearing completion in Cape Town and is scheduled to open in December, representing a milestone for sustainable development in South Africa.
Appropriately named the Hemp Hotel, this 12-storey skyscraper consists of hempcrete blocks made from the woody parts of hemp plants and a formualted lime mix and is supported by a cement-and-concrete structure. The hempcrete helps with insulation and fireproofing as well.
Hemp is a variant of the cannabis sativa plant, which is grown specifically for industrial use. It has been used for years in various products, including rope, textiles, biofuel, cosmetics and clothing.
According to Afrimat Hemp, one of the developers of the new hotel, the block are carbon negative, with more carbon taken out of the atmosphere by the growth of the cannabis plant than emitted by its production and application. The plant-based building material also has great thermal insulation qualities, lowering the need for heating and cooling systems which saves on energy bills.
The ground floor of the Hemp Hotel will be occupied as a retail space by one of the developers of the building, Hemporium, with a steak restaurant on the first floor, and the rest a hotel with 50 apartments.
Construction started in 2019 and the hotel is being developed with Afrimat Hemp, Wolf & Wolf Architects, and R+N Master Builders. Hybrid hospitality operator, Neighbourgood, has been appointed to operate the aparthotel.
The apartments will range from studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and two penthouses – one three-bedroom and one two-bedroom. Not just hotel rooms but rather fully equipped, self-contained apartments with high-end appliances and everything guests require for a short or long stay in the Mother City.
The hotel also offers a co-working space on the fifth floor with views of Table Mountain. Two separate meeting rooms are also available.
The hotel will appeal to a wide variety of market segments, which include leisure travellers, digital nomads, and remote workers looking for a medium stay of one to three months, as well as business travellers in Cape Town who work through the week.
The developers believe that hemp will become the environmentally friendly choice of construction material for builders and developers looking for sustainable and greener ways to build.