BlackBrick Hotels plans to open its newest property in Umhlanga on December 1, 2026. The 81-room hotel aims to offer a design-led alternative to the traditional luxury options currently dominating the North Coast.
A return to Durban
Co-founders Jonathan Liebmann and Moritz Wellensiek are both Durban natives. The project represents a homecoming for the brand, which expanded from Johannesburg into Cape Town before returning to the city that raised its founders.
Umhlanga has become one of South Africa’s most sought-after tourism destinations – a place where the energy of Durban meets the ease of coastal living. Its beaches, warm climate, growing culinary scene and expanding business district have transformed it from a seasonal holiday town into a year-round destination for leisure and business travel.
“Umhlanga feels very personal to us,” Liebmann said. “Moritz and I grew up in Durban, so to bring BlackBrick back to the city that shaped us, after building the brand across Johannesburg and Cape Town, feels like the story coming full circle.”
Design and amenities
System Architecture designed the building, while Hector & Bailey handled the interiors. The property will reflect the subtropical energy of KwaZulu-Natal. Every room features uninterrupted sea views to connect guests directly with the coastline.
BlackBrick Umhlanga, designed by System Architecture and featuring interiors by Hector & Bailey, embodies the laid-back and subtropical spirit of KwaZulu-Natal, offering amenities such as Doughed Pizza, Humble Coffee, a rooftop tapas bar, and versatile spaces for work and socializing.
The venue will also include spaces for work, meetings, and wellness activities.
Work, wellness, and culture
The hotel operates on three pillars: Culture, Wellness, and Work. Guests can join morning yoga or Pilates classes. As the day ends, they can gather for shared plates and drinks on the rooftop.
The lifestyle trend
The opening occurs as lifestyle hotels gain market share. Wellensiek estimates these hotels accounted for approximately 18% of new hotel rooms globally in 2025, up from 8% in 2000.
BlackBrick began with a single building in Sandton. The network now spans Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.
