Urban Sanctuaries News

Urban Sanctuaries had a rather unconventional and interesting beginning.  Andre Simpson graduated with a 3 year diploma in Hotel Management and further 3 year diploma in Nature Conservation.   Those qualifications opened the door to some exciting years working in lodges and hotels in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Caribbean and Kenya. 

During that time, we were privileged to be involved with the opening of 3 new lodges in three countries, gaining valuable insight into liaising with professionals and contractors on site and supervising the progression of the build.  Meeting the pressure of opening deadlines, with all the stress and excitement it entails, stood us in good stead.

Our very first foray into building was being told we had to build our own staff house in Kenya.  Armed with a basic floor plan, some understanding of reading plans and lots of gumption, we set about building the staff house.  We soon discovered that there was no Building Supply Store within a 300km radius so EVERYTHING had to be produced on site using only rudimentary hand tools. 

That included making our own bricks, window frames and doors!  After firing the third plumber, we realised that plumbers in Kenya had no concept of hot water!  We had great fun in the process and so the bug bit!

From that inauspicious beginning, Andre left the corporate hotel environment and started Urban Sanctuaries, building homes for other people.  During this time, we also built our own personal homes.  Having always had a passion for beautiful homes, I was able to finish and furnish them to my liking (and within a very limited budget!)  From the first sale, all the buyers of our properties expressed an interest in buying our homes with the furniture. 

By this stage Andre told me I had to find a cheaper hobby… so I decided to study Interior Design and turn my passion into a profession.  This I did through The Interior Design Institute.  This year I have been able to join Andre on a full time basis.  Urban Sanctuaries is now well positioned to offer clients a full service into the future.