State-owned logistics company Transnet has announced the planned sale of 15 properties across South Africa, including the iconic Carlton Centre
For decades, the Carlton Centre has towered over Johannesburg as more than just a skyscraper; it was a symbol of the city’s ambition, wealth and place on the African continent.
When it opened in the 1970s, the 223m, 50-storey landmark was the tallest building in Africa, a glittering address where business, luxury and high society converged. Its famous Carlton Hotel hosted international celebrities and statesmen, while its “Top of Africa” viewpoint offered sweeping vistas over the city.
But the building’s fortunes would ultimately mirror the dramatic decline of Johannesburg’s inner city. The once-prestigious hotel closed in the late 1990s, and the Carlton Centre has since become a powerful reminder of a different era in the city’s history.
Now, more than half a century after it first changed Johannesburg’s skyline, the iconic landmark faces another defining moment: the Carlton Centre is on the chopping block.
