Life’s a Beach
Rockets Beach Club Umhlanga opened its doors to the public in 2023, marking the first expansion of the Rockets Group beyond Gauteng.
Located along the golden sands of the Umhlanga beachfront, Rockets Beach Club merges the urban essence with which the Rockets Group’s brand is associated with the coastal charm, joy and freedom that define the beach scene along the Indian Ocean coastline.
Spread across an impressive 1 500m3 and encompassing three levels, dedicated respectively to the restaurant on the ground floor, the dancefloor (Lolita’s) above it and a rooftop bar, the design was inspired by Rockets CEO Sean Barber’s recent journeys to Ibiza and Greece, where he researched the latest trends in design and experiential offerings, subsequently adapting them for South Africa.
In this instance, inspired by Mediterranean influences, laid-back luxury and contemporary design, the chic interiors combine bleached timber furnishings and a sandy neutral palette with metallic accents and natural greenery brought in with tropical indoor plants to capture the relaxed, seaside ambience. Despite is easy-going atemosphere, the interior design has been executed with meticulous attention to detail, maintaining the brand’s sense of classic luxury adapted for the fresh, new coastal context.
Other classic Rocket’s trademarks include hand-blown glass pendant lights
and feature murals that references Native American culture, which, Barber says, combines peacefulness and strength in a way that resonates with the Rockets brand.
In Lolita’s, the club section, LED strip lighting spanning the entire ceiling creates spectacular light displays. Cosy booth seating and secret nooks like the VIP seating area behind the DJ box maintain an air of exclusivity and privacy.
On the rooftop, the panoramic ocean views hold centre stage, making for the ultimate sundowner spot. At the entrance to this section, another mural with the Rockets logo and a cherry blossom mural have been designed to create Instagrammable photo opportunities. In this section, particularly, the bleached tones and Greek-island influence creates an elevated brand of beachside luxury that celebrates the ocean views. Rockets Beach Club Umhlanga’s interior design combines the best of local and international influences to pioneer a new luxury beach club experience.
Built with Shorthand