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Coordinates: 26°06′30″S 28°03′15″E / 26.10833°S 28.05417°E / -26.10833; 28.05417
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| website = [http://www.sandtoncity.com/libproperties/content/en/sandton-city/sandton-city-home www.sandtoncity.com]
| website = [http://www.sandtoncity.com/libproperties/content/en/sandton-city/sandton-city-home www.sandtoncity.com]
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'''Sandton City''' is a [[shopping mall]] in [[Sandton]], [[Johannesburg]], South Africa. It was founded and owned by the property development company Rapp and Maister, in partnership with brothers Hilliard and Eli Leibowitz, and was later taken over by Liberty Life. The center opened its doors to the public on September 12, 1973. The center has a [[gross leasable area]] of {{Convert|128,000|m2|abbr=on}} of retail space. The office space combined with the Sandton Sun Hotel increase the total area to {{Convert|215000|m2|abbr=on}}. Together, Sandton City and the adjacent [[Nelson Mandela Square]] (formerly Sandton Square) form one of the largest retail complexes in [[Africa]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sandtoncity.com/libproperties/content/en/sandton-city/sandton-city-history-of-the-centre |title=History of the center - Sandton City |author=Sandton City |accessdate=August 25, 2014}}</ref> A pyramid-shaped roof was added in the 1990s and provides the distinguishing architectural feature of Sandton City. It is the focal point of an area around which Africa's richest square mile-and-a-half was built.
'''Sandton City''' is a [[shopping mall|shopping mall siutated]] in [[Sandton]], [[Johannesburg]], South Africa. It was founded and owned by the property development company Rapp and Maister, in partnership with brothers Hilliard and Eli Leibowitz, and was later taken over by Liberty Life (now part of Liberty Holdings Limited). The center opened its doors to the public on September 12, 1973. The centre has a [[gross leasable area]] of {{Convert|128,000|m2|abbr=on}} of retail space. The office space combined with the Sandton Sun Hotel increase the total area to {{Convert|215000|m2|abbr=on}}. Together, Sandton City and the adjacent [[Nelson Mandela Square]] (formerly Sandton Square) form one of the largest retail complexes on the continent of [[Africa]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sandtoncity.com/libproperties/content/en/sandton-city/sandton-city-history-of-the-centre |title=History of the center - Sandton City |author=Sandton City |accessdate=August 25, 2014}}</ref> It is the focal point of an area around which Africa's richest square mile-and-a-half was built.


==History==
==History==
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{{section OR|date=July 2014}}
{{section OR|date=July 2014}}
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Sandton City was built as a twenty-one storey, concrete block shopping center that opened in late 1973. It is an example of the Brutalist architecture that was common in South Africa in the early 1970s, which is often referred to as "Apartheid Architecture" because of its austerity and scale, and because the Apartheid government used this style in most administrative and state buildings at that time. The architecture is also seen in the Golden Acre (Goue Akker), a similar shopping center built in [[Cape Town]] before the construction of Sandton City, the International Terminal at the airport in Johannesburg, the Carlton Center, the new [[Rand Afrikaans University]] in Johannesburg, and the JG Strijdom (since renamed the Hillbrow Tower) in Hillbrow, Central Johannesburg. Most of these buildings were conceived in the late 1960s.
Sandton City was built as a twenty-one storey, concrete block shopping centre that opened in late 1973. It is an example of the Brutalist architecture that was common in South Africa in the early 1970s, which is often referred to as "Apartheid Architecture" because of its austerity and scale, and because the Apartheid government used this style in most administrative and state buildings at that time. The architecture is also seen in the Golden Acre (Goue Akker), a similar shopping center built in [[Cape Town]] before the construction of Sandton City, the International Terminal at the airport in Johannesburg, the Carlton Center, new [[Rand Afrikaans University]] (now University of Johannesburg), and the JG Strijdom (since renamed the Hillbrow Tower) in Hillbrow, Central Johannesburg. Most of these buildings were conceived in the late 1960s.


===1970s===
===1970s===


Sandton City opened in 1973 with 120 stores on two levels, and added two additional levels of parking for 2,500 cars and outside parking. It was also the first of its kind in Johannesburg. Upon opening, the scale and depth of the center revolutionized South African and [[Johannesburg]] retailing.{{cite needed|date=November 2015}} However, many people criticized the center's lack of external lighting and a loss of functionality from Hyde Park Corner, a much smaller shopping center nearby Sandton City. The outer plaza to the east housed offices, branches of [[Nedbank]] and [[Barclays]] (later to become [[First National Bank (South Africa)|First National Bank]]), medical suites, and a steak house. A bridge connected the outer plaza to what was then Sandton Library, a medical clinic, and the Sandton Council building. In its early stages in the 1970s, the small lower floor housed a post office, which was divided into sections for black and white customers, and a [[Ster-Kinekor]] cinema complex that is still there today.
Sandton City opened in 1973 with 120 stores on two levels, and added two additional levels of parking for 2,500 cars and outside parking. It was also the first of its kind in Johannesburg. Upon opening, the scale and depth of the center revolutionized South African and [[Johannesburg]] retail.{{cite needed|date=November 2015}} The outer plaza to the east housed offices, branches of [[Nedbank]] and [[Barclays]] (later to become [[First National Bank (South Africa)|First National Bank]]), medical suites, and a steak house. A bridge connected the outer plaza to what was then Sandton Library, a medical clinic, and the Sandton Council building. In its early stages in the 1970s, the small lower floor housed a post office, and a [[Ster-Kinekor]] cinema complex that is still there today.


===1980s===
===1980s===
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===1990s===
===1990s===


During this time, Sandton City underwent major refurbishment of common areas.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of the Center, Sandton City|url=http://www.sandtoncity.com/libproperties/content/en/sandton-city/sandton-city-history-of-the-center|website=Sandton City History. Retrieved November 27, 2014.}}</ref> The area in front of the Sandton Library was developed into a new shopping centre, [[Sandton Square]], connected by a sky-bridge.
During this time, Sandton City underwent major refurbishment of common areas.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of the Center, Sandton City|url=http://www.sandtoncity.com/libproperties/content/en/sandton-city/sandton-city-history-of-the-center|website=Sandton City History. Retrieved November 27, 2014.}}</ref> The area in front of the Sandton Library was developed into a new shopping centre, [[Sandton Square]], connected by a sky-bridge.A pyramid-shaped roof was added in the 1990s and provides the distinguishing architectural feature of Sandton City.


===2000s===
===2000s===


In 2001, stores were increased to 295 while parking bays were boosted to 10,000. A new food court and giant video wall were also constructed. The Home Living retail level was developed in 2002, and a cinema complex received a refurbishment in the same year.
In 2001, stores were increased to 295 while parking bays were boosted to 10,000. A new food court and giant video wall were also constructed. The Home Living retail level was developed in 2002, and the cinema complex received a refurbishment in the same year.

Sandton City includes the offices of major international and South African banks, many hotels, law firms, accounting firms and the [[Johannesburg Stock Exchange]]. It has effectively replaced the financial district of Central Johannesburg City several miles to the south, which once fulfilled this role.


===2010s===
===2010s===


In 2013, the Twin Towers office section of Sandton City was completely redone with a contemporary glass shell. In 2014, the office tower received a complete external revamp, with new cladding applied over the original concrete structure. A new wing was also added to the mall, joining the Edgars and Woolworths Courts. A major refurbishment of the entertainment areas and adjoining stores commenced in 2017 and will be completed in 2018.
In 2013, the Twin Towers office section of Sandton City was completely redone with a contemporary glass shell (these are know called Atrium on 5th). In 2014, the office tower received a complete external revamp, with new cladding applied over the original concrete structure. A new wing was also added to the mall, joining the Edgars and Woolworths Courts. A major refurbishment of the entertainment areas and adjoining stores commenced in 2017 and will be completed in 2018.


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 07:57, 29 March 2018

Sandton City
Sandton City's logo as of 2011
Map
LocationSandton, Gauteng, South Africa
Opening dateSeptember 12, 1973
DeveloperRapp and Maister
OwnerLiberty Holdings Limited/Liberty Two Degrees
Pareto Ltd
No. of stores and servicesclose to 300
Websitewww.sandtoncity.com

Sandton City is a shopping mall siutated in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa. It was founded and owned by the property development company Rapp and Maister, in partnership with brothers Hilliard and Eli Leibowitz, and was later taken over by Liberty Life (now part of Liberty Holdings Limited). The center opened its doors to the public on September 12, 1973. The centre has a gross leasable area of 128,000 m2 (1,380,000 sq ft) of retail space. The office space combined with the Sandton Sun Hotel increase the total area to 215,000 m2 (2,310,000 sq ft). Together, Sandton City and the adjacent Nelson Mandela Square (formerly Sandton Square) form one of the largest retail complexes on the continent of Africa.[1] It is the focal point of an area around which Africa's richest square mile-and-a-half was built.

History

Sandton City was built as a twenty-one storey, concrete block shopping centre that opened in late 1973. It is an example of the Brutalist architecture that was common in South Africa in the early 1970s, which is often referred to as "Apartheid Architecture" because of its austerity and scale, and because the Apartheid government used this style in most administrative and state buildings at that time. The architecture is also seen in the Golden Acre (Goue Akker), a similar shopping center built in Cape Town before the construction of Sandton City, the International Terminal at the airport in Johannesburg, the Carlton Center, new Rand Afrikaans University (now University of Johannesburg), and the JG Strijdom (since renamed the Hillbrow Tower) in Hillbrow, Central Johannesburg. Most of these buildings were conceived in the late 1960s.

1970s

Sandton City opened in 1973 with 120 stores on two levels, and added two additional levels of parking for 2,500 cars and outside parking. It was also the first of its kind in Johannesburg. Upon opening, the scale and depth of the center revolutionized South African and Johannesburg retail.[citation needed] The outer plaza to the east housed offices, branches of Nedbank and Barclays (later to become First National Bank), medical suites, and a steak house. A bridge connected the outer plaza to what was then Sandton Library, a medical clinic, and the Sandton Council building. In its early stages in the 1970s, the small lower floor housed a post office, and a Ster-Kinekor cinema complex that is still there today.

1980s

According to the Sandton City website,[2] there were 240 stores and 8000 parking bays while the five-star towers were launched, and 44000 square meters of space added. The Sandton Sun Hotel was built in 1984 as part of the complex.

1990s

During this time, Sandton City underwent major refurbishment of common areas.[3] The area in front of the Sandton Library was developed into a new shopping centre, Sandton Square, connected by a sky-bridge.A pyramid-shaped roof was added in the 1990s and provides the distinguishing architectural feature of Sandton City.

2000s

In 2001, stores were increased to 295 while parking bays were boosted to 10,000. A new food court and giant video wall were also constructed. The Home Living retail level was developed in 2002, and the cinema complex received a refurbishment in the same year.

2010s

In 2013, the Twin Towers office section of Sandton City was completely redone with a contemporary glass shell (these are know called Atrium on 5th). In 2014, the office tower received a complete external revamp, with new cladding applied over the original concrete structure. A new wing was also added to the mall, joining the Edgars and Woolworths Courts. A major refurbishment of the entertainment areas and adjoining stores commenced in 2017 and will be completed in 2018.

See also

References

  1. ^ Sandton City. "History of the center - Sandton City". Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  2. ^ "History of the Center, Sandton City". Sandton City History. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  3. ^ "History of the Center, Sandton City". Sandton City History. Retrieved November 27, 2014.

26°06′30″S 28°03′15″E / 26.10833°S 28.05417°E / -26.10833; 28.05417