MyJHB

Stuff from Johannesburg

Portrait

Carlton Centre: Top of Africa

The 50th floor is home to the “Top of Africa” observation deck, which remains the most famous viewpoint in the city. From this height, the “man-made forest” of the northern suburbs looks like a green carpet, while to the south, the massive yellow mine dumps remind you of the city’s origins. Despite the closure of the hotel and the shifting fortunes of the CBD, the Carlton Centre refuses to become a relic. It is currently the headquarters of the state-owned transport giant Transnet, and its lower retail levels are among the most densely traded spaces in the country, serving thousands of commuters daily.