Montebello Design Centre, Creative venue and heritage site in Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa.
Montebello Design Centre is a creative complex located in historic farm buildings beneath Devil's Peak mountain with twenty-five artist studios and workshops. The buildings house various artistic disciplines and feature a shop selling handmade items alongside an on-site restaurant.
The property was donated to the University of Cape Town by Cecil Michaelis in 1988, with the design centre established in 1993. This transition transformed the former farm buildings into a space for artistic practice and creation.
Artists and craftspeople work visibly in their studios creating beadwork, sculptures, jewelry and furniture while visitors watch and learn about their creative methods. The working studios form the heart of how the space functions as a community of makers.
You can visit the studios and galleries most days and purchase handmade goods directly from the artists on site. The location is accessible from central Cape Town with parking available and a restaurant offering refreshments while you explore the different areas.
The centre operates a greenhouse where artists transform invasive Port Jackson wattle trees into garden furniture. This sustainable practice protects local water resources while combining artistic creation with environmental care.
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