Our admiration stems from the unique sense of style, a commitment to collecting South African art (The Forum started the Turbine Art Fair), and a way of doing things that puts hospitality first. Their venues are never just venue spaces. For that reason, when they invited us to Sandton Central we gave them the benefit of the doubt.
The Forum Alice Lane didn't disappoint. From the knockout views from every meeting room to the careful pairing of artworks and décor, this tasteful space made for an ideal roaming office venue. Add to that a state-of-the-art tech set-up, on-call assistance, and as usual, food presented as if it was art. In short, we were delightfully surprised.
We recently took our Roaming Office to The Forum Alice Lane (May 2024), a day where the Johannesburg In Your Pocket team works from a hotel workspace. We get the opportunity to connect with hospitality partners and explore hotel properties. Discover more about our Roaming Office adventures here.
Where we worked
The Forum Alice Lane has 14 conference rooms varying in size that can host 10 to 50 people. Panoramic views of Sandton were our workspace backdrop in room 14–4, a conference room that comfortably hosts up to 12 people. The bright and airy space is adorned with artwork selected by founder Glynis Hyslop, an ardent art collector (each room varies with colour and design). The small and exquisite floral arrangements stretched across the table also added a personal touch to the room. The room had multiple plug points (a top priority for a roaming office), a set of stationery per chair (who doesn't love their own notepaper and pencil?), ergonomic seating (our long-suffering backs), and an awe-inspiring view from Sandton across the north.
Culinary offerings
We loved seeing how the team delighted in serving us food that was so beautifully presented, you almost didn't want to spoil it by tucking in. We are glad we did though.
We were treated to a delightful breakfast parfait of creamy yoghurt layered with fresh blueberries and a sprinkling of brown sugar, encouraging a sweet start to the day. Buttery croissants filled with pesto, chicken, tomato, and greens added a savoury flair. Rusks, alongside an assortment of tea blends and freshly brewed coffee, were also available for those who were only a little peckish. A lift ride down to the ground floor revealed a colourful ambience and lunch at The Forum Alice Lane's auditorium foyer space filled with tables and chairs for dining.
Both vegetarian and meat options were available and included a basil tomato savoury cheesecake; a roasted beetroot, tomato, and chickpea salad; and beef with caramelised onion on shortbread. The main course featured rich butter chicken with potatoes, while the vegetarian-friendly option offered a flavourful alternative of couscous and brinjal. Ending lunch on a light note, we enjoyed a dessert consisting of finger foods including pastries and cake. In the late afternoon, shortbread biscuits were served with tea and coffee, providing a comforting pick me up on the cool autumn work day.
Other services
The centrepiece of The Forum Alice Lane is the state-of-the-art cinema-style auditorium that can host up to 250 attendees, making it ideal for large-scale presentations and events. It's also equipped with full, in-house tech and IT support to ensure seamless event execution. Adding to its allure, The Forum Alice Lane features a skybar with a 360-degree view, perfect for mingling. It provides a striking backdrop for any occasion, making it a firm favourite for production crews or general venue hire.
Comments