Johannesburg’s Most Celebrated Landmarks

Johannesburg is one of the grandest and most affluent cities on the African continent. The city is filled with elite suburbs, businesses, high-rise buildings, parks, gardens, hotels and a busy city life. No wonder why it is regarded as a sister city of New York. What gives the city bragging rights, are the largest stock exchange of Africa (Johannesburg Stock Exchange), Africa’s busiest airport (O.R. Tambo International Airport) and the highest court of South Africa (the Constitutional Court). It is due to this that cheap flights to Johannesburg are in high and ever increasing demand.

Recently, the city attracted a lot of bad media when people from war ridden African countries fled to Johannesburg and many of the buildings in the city center were abandoned. Nevertheless, with improving economy, crime in the city is decreasing and flights to Johannesburg are facing high demand day by day. As of now, the city is fully safe and prepared to host the opening and closing matches of FIFA 2010.

Some of the landmarks in the city are:

1. Hillbrow Tower:

At 270 meters above the ground, Hillbrow Tower is the tallest structure in the city of Johannesburg. It took three years to build the tower with its construction beginning in 1968 and finishing in 1971. The prestigious tower is used as a microwave tower and is owned by Telkom. Previously it was known as JG Strijdom Tower. In 2005, a blue illuminated Telkom sign was installed at the tower and the tower renamed to Telkom Joburg Tower.

2. Stench Tower:

The Stench Tower rises up to 234 meters and was built in 1962. It is one of the two telecommunication towers of the city of Johannesburg apart from Hillbrow Tower. Stench Tower is owned by SABC and Post Office for transmission purposes. It is situated on a hill in Brixton hence it got its other name, Brixton Tower. Previously, it was known as Albert Hertzog Tower.

3. Carlton Center:

Leaving behind other structures and coming towards buildings, Carlton Center is the tallest building on the African continent and graces the Johannesburg skyline. The height of the building is controversially and undecidedly 234 meters and has 50 floors. 46% of its floors are below the ground though. Carlton Tower houses both, shops as well as offices and is ranked amongst the World’s Top 100 Skyscrapers. The top floor has an observation desk that provides panoramic views of the city. 

4. Ponte City Apartments:

This is Africa’s highest apartment building and was built in the year 1976. It rises up to 173 meters and owns 54 floors. When newly constructed, Ponte City Apartments created a lot of hype in the whole continent being the elitist and most exclusive residential address in town. Unfortunately, this building could not escape the immigrants of the city and attracted criminals. Suicide and murder cases were reported here. For many years, it remained abandoned with prostitutes loafing about with their clients. Now, however, it has been revived at a cost of millions of Rand. Once again, it is the finest residential complex in Johannesburg with all modern amenities. It is expected to house many foreigners during FIFA 2010.

This South African city is home to more than 20 other such landmarks. Flights to Johannesburgrun all year round to take passengers to this exotic city. Apart from the landmark construction works, the city boasts much to be explored and captured on the camera.