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The Client

Sedgwick House is the historic home of the Sedgwick family – the original producers of Sedgwick’s Old Brown Sherry. Still family-owned, the property is now the headquarters of an eighth-generation descendant of Captain James T. Sedgwick, who arrived in South Africa in 1838.

The Brief

Restore the building – originally constructed in the early 1800s – from the inside out, unifying past renovations into one architectural language. The result needed to feel timeless, reflect its maritime roots, and honour the legacy of this building, the Sedgwick family and their historic business.

In close consultation with the City’s Heritage department, we consolidated decades of mismatched renovations. Granite cladding and a strong horizontal moulding ground the building to draw the eye upward. Imported Broseley roof tiles from the UK and extensive waterproofing ensure both historical integrity and lasting protection.

As a testament to our work in renewing the building’s significance, a blue plaque was awarded by the Cape Town Heritage Foundation. To honour the family’s legacy, the Sedgwick crest was redesigned and digitised, then applied by means of hand-painted signage and custom granite inlays.

Wall panelling, plush carpets, and marble floors echo traditional tartan patterns, paying tribute to the Sedgwick family business’s Scottish roots. A handcrafted mosaic by artist John Bauer commemorates Captain James Sedgwick’s arrival in the Cape in 1838, underpinning the space in personal and historical legacy.

Once a liquor vault, the cellar was completely gutted and reengineered to overcome structural challenges. It now serves as an intimate private dining room, complete with custom wine cellaring, celebrating the family’s ongoing connection to the world of fine wine and spirits.

Ancestral heirlooms and business memorabilia were curated into bespoke, museum-style cabinetry bringing the family’s history into daily view. A custom dining table by Pierre Cronje anchors the room, its surface is inlaid with brass X’s marking milestone moments in the Sedgwick story.

The interiors were crafted to marry historical elegance with modern function: solid, enduring construction built to last generations. Rich tones, layered textures, and varied fabrics bring warmth and depth, creating spaces that feel both timeless and lived in.

Five custom brass bell pendants mirroring the five bells in the family crest layer the reception space with symbolic intent. We opened up the central staircase by removing enclosing walls, allowing for better flow and a stronger connection between levels.

At the heart of the family business lies the boardroom, where an antique table and display cabinet steeped in family significance were lovingly restored. The cabinet was elevated with concealed LED lighting and custom wallpapered panels. A hidden door discreetly leads through to the library beyond.

To preserve the room’s historical character, the boardroom TV is hidden behind a custom-printed, motorised roller blind doubling as a standalone artwork. With a single touch, the blind lifts to reveal the concealed AV system, blending modern functionality with timeless design.

Anthony Sedgwick Junior’s office showcases sentimental antique furniture collected over generations. Bespoke lighting, solid engineered timber flooring, and carefully restored walls and ceilings create a bright, refined setting designed to honour and display these personal heirlooms.

Captain James Sedgwick arrived in Cape Town in 1838, later establishing the ‘Captains Room’ bar lounge at Parker’s Hotel on Adderley Street. In tribute, we commissioned a handcrafted mirror with vintage-style signwriting which is now the backdrop to the office liquor cabinet, discreetly concealed behind a motorised blind.

The private library doubles as an informal meeting space and a cosy, considered retreat. Two hot desk workstations crafted from a single slab of solid timber consolidate the room blending function with a sense of quiet elegance.

A once-derelict roof courtyard has been reimagined as a landscaped garden creating an inviting outdoor escape in the heart of the city. Connected to the bar area, it now offers the perfect setting for relaxed gatherings and festive celebrations.

While I had anticipated the renovation of Sedgwick House after 2 decades of neglect and of a building dating back to 1890 would be tricky, it turned out to be much more complex. Throughout the 18-month journey encountering many fresh challenges Grant, Ruta, Marcelle and the Conduit team remained extraordinarily professional and focused on the project. Every meticulous detail from the architectural drawings of the entire building, volumes of joinery specs across 4 floors, the management of a vast array of sub-contractors to the redesign and refresh of our firm’s logo. All this tightly tracked with 100% accuracy and transparency.

I could not have begun to contemplate the complexity of some of the problems they had to solve – each overcome with ingenuity, professionalism, and good humour! I have only the deepest gratitude and admiration for what the Conduit team have accomplished.

Anthony Sedgwick
Director
EW Sedgwick & Co.
Client References