Tucked away in the heart of Johannesburg, on the bustling doorstep of Maboneng, sits a 66-meter-high modular Modernist structure, Hallmark House and The Marabi Club.

• Originally designed in the 1970s to house South Africa’s booming diamond-polishing industry, this iconic building has been repurposed.
• It maintains its industrial origins while embracing chic modernity under the direction of renowned Ghanian designer David Adjaye.
• Today, Hallmark House is not just a hotel but a cultural hub where business, leisure, art, and culinary experiences blend seamlessly.
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Known for its rich history and lively present, the city embodies a unique fusion of cultures, music, art, and design. Hallmark House, located in Johannesburg’s New Doornfontein hub, represents the vibrant cultural diversity of the city and is a must for anyone wanting to experience the full Johannesburg experience. From the dazzling skyline to the pulsating streets below, Johannesburg is a metropolis that’s constantly evolving.

Among the many gems within Hallmark House, one shines brightest – The Marabi Club. Nestled in the basement, this evocative jazz club takes guests on a journey back in time while serving up contemporary luxury, superb food, and the captivating rhythms of African jazz. As a premier jazz destination, The Marabi Club offers an unforgettable experience, marrying fine dining with live performances that are steeped in Johannesburg’s cultural history. It’s a place where jazz meets culinary delights, and the energy is electric.

The building’s most recent redesign and rebranding, launched in early 2020, embraced warm, modern, and evocative interiors with a touch of flamboyance. The sandblasted, exposed structure pays homage to the building’s industrial roots, while the luxurious finishes and rich textures within the hotel offer a contemporary urban look. From striking contemporary art adorning the walls to vibrant textures and colours, Hallmark House creates a chic and trendy environment for those who live, work, or simply pass through. The rooms are also incredibly generous in size, and provide a sanctuary in the heart of one of Johannesburg’s most bustling districts with safe, easy access to attractions like the Emirates Airline Park (previously Ellis Park Stadium).

The shared spaces within the building cater to both guests and residents, offering a curated mix of recreation and business facilities. Among these are Thorn, a trendy hub that combines a modern restaurant and workspace, and Utters, an exclusive unisex barbershop that blends vintage charm with contemporary luxury. However, it’s the Rooftop – radiating glamour with its 360-degree views of the city – that remains one of Hallmark’s most breath-taking features.

The Marabi Club has quickly become synonymous with superb food and live jazz, combining the best of Joburg’s culinary and musical offerings. Its name draws from the history of the 1920s and 1930s, when the Doornfontein slum yards gave rise to an urban culture known as ‘marabi’. Born in the wake of one of the world’s richest gold rushes, marabi was defined by its energetic, improvisational music, which provided an escape from the hardships of the working class. Illegal shebeens (taverns) became the backdrop for political discussions, all while jazz filled the air with a defiant energy.

Today, The Marabi Club evokes this history with careful attention to detail in its interior design. Long bars, jauntily dressed waiters, dim lighting, and, of course, the vibrant sound of live jazz bring the club to life. A visit to The Marabi Club is not just about dinner; it’s about experiencing Johannesburg’s history while revelling in its contemporary offerings.

In August 2024, The Marabi Club, along with Hallmark House’s other culinary ventures, welcomed Chef Freddie Dias as its new Executive Chef. No stranger to Johannesburg’s vibrant food scene, Chef Freddie had worked with Steyn Entertainment’s co-founder Dale De Ruig and Marabi Club General Manager Sicelo Mayiyane back in 2017 when the club first made its mark in the city. Chef Freddie had led a pop-up for Pot Luck Club under the mentorship of acclaimed chef Luke Dale Roberts, and now he has returned to oversee Steyn Entertainment’s culinary portfolio, including the much-beloved Marabi Club. Chef Freddie’s return to The Marabi Club marks a full-circle moment in his career.

There’s something about being part of a dynamic business and coming back to the place where we all started, to create something new and different that appeals to me.

// Steyn Entertainment Executive Chef Freddie Dias

Known for his exploration of flavours and ingredients, Chef Freddie is excited to bring his passion for both food and music to the forefront, blurring the lines between culinary and musical artistry.

As part of his new role, Chef Freddie has designed several new dishes for The Marabi Club’s menu, which reopened after a brief reshuffle. His vision is to create a more sharing-style menu, allowing guests to sit and order different plates, mixing and matching to enhance the convivial atmosphere of the venue. Chef Freddie’s creative exploration doesn’t stop at The Marabi Club, either; he is also working on signature dishes for Thorn restaurant upstairs and plans to revive the legendary Sunday Brunches on Hallmark’s Rooftop.

Sicelo Mayiyane, Marabi Club’s General Manager, shares this vision of combining top-tier entertainment and dining to create an unforgettable experience.

Some music venues offer an incredible music experience, but the food lets them down. At restaurants, the menu takes center stage, but the music is an afterthought. We want to offer something exciting for the senses that makes a visit to The Marabi Club a unique experience.

// Marabi Club’s General Manager, Sicelo Mayiyane

This convergence of entertainment elements is mirrored in Hallmark House’s other spaces as well. Thorn restaurant and the glamorous Rooftop provide further opportunities for guests to indulge in fine food, culture, and breath-taking views. One of the standout features of Hallmark House is its award-winning suite designed by Tristan Du Plessis, with input from Grammy-award-winning DJ Black Coffee. This penthouse, with its two open-plan living spaces, gym, and cinema, is filled with art and custom furnishings that speak to the creative spirit of the hotel.

The Marabi Club at Hallmark House is located at 54 Siemert Road, New Doornfontein, Johannesburg, and is open from Thursdays to Saturdays, 6:30pm ‘til late. With easy access off the highway via the Joe Slovo Drive fly-over, the hotel is safe and comfortable to access and exit, without having to travel through the packed streets of Johannesburg. It’s also highly recommended to make a weekend of it, by enjoying dinner and combining it with a sleep-over. A visit to the city of gold would not be complete without a dinner at The Marabi Club and a stay at Hallmark House.

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