The next contender for the 2016 Boschendal Style Award is the industrial chic, Bolton Road Collection in Rosebank, Johannesburg. Here’s why it deserves its nomination.

Design details

The look: Urban chic
The location: The artistic hub of Rosebank
The creatives: Architecture and design by Deidre and Vanessa Causton from Inspirations JHB, graffiti and artwork by Sonny and TwoByTwo Art Studio.

The light urban interior at Bolton Road Collection. Photo supplied.

The style

Bolton Road Collection is the latest exciting project from the owners and design team behind Social on Main. Owner and restaurateur, Bruce Beattie, and designers Deidre and Vanessa Causton from Inspirations JHB, drew on their travels and love for design to bring new and interesting style elements to this corner of Rosebank.

Formerly a white-walled motorcycle showroom, the space has been turned into an urban chic restaurant. The team wanted to retain the urban, industrial styling without introducing mass-produced pieces, so began by using what was already available on site. Sections of brickwork were exposed, plaster was stripped off existing columns and the aluminium shop front was replaced with vintage-style metal windows and doors. Customised wall-mounted light fittings, leather seating, teal tiles and natural light add warmth and character to the interior.

The leather seating at Bolton Road Collection. Photo supplied.

Located in the heart of the vibrant Rosebank art scene, the restaurant reflects its bohemian surroundings with artworks both inside and outside the venue. A large commissioned work by renowned graffiti artist, Sonny, takes pride of position on exterior walls. The piece features a beautiful African elephant, designed to raise awareness of the species’ decline throughout Africa. The team have also commissioned a hummingbird graffiti piece by TwoByTwo Art Studio, which is close to the owners’ hearts as it represents the late matriarch of the family.

The teal pastry counter at Bolton Road Collection. Photo supplied.

The cuisine

Chef Andrew Green plates up vibrant European fare that works beautifully with the earthy surroundings. A signature dish is roasted sea bass with a light, fragrant coconut and garam masala sauce on a bed of cauliflower purée and charred baby gem. To drink, Bolton Road pour a spin on the SA classic Dom Pedro: served in a plant pot, the cocktail features rum, Drambuie, chocolate liqueur, Peppermint Crisp, vanilla ice cream and chocolate soil ice.

The seabass at Bolton Road Collection. Photo supplied.

Does Bolton Road Collection have what it takes to win the Boschendal Style Award? Find out on 20 November when the winner is announced at the 2016 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards.