South Africa, the most structurally and economically developed nation on the African continent, has seen significant construction booms in its major cities. Advanced development is localized around Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Bloemfontein, and Pretoria/Johannesburg, with rapid growth in key marginal areas. Among the remarkable structures gracing the South African skyline, The Leonardo stands out as a symbol of modern architectural achievement.
The Leonardo is a skyscraper in the prosperous northern suburb of Sandton. At 234 m, it is the fourth-tallest building in Africa.
Construction and Key Features
The Leonardo is a 55-floor mixed-use property development in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa. Construction on The Leonardo began on 17 November 2015. By late April 2018, The Leonardo was the tallest building in Sandton, exceeding the Sandton City Office tower, which stands at 141 meters. By mid-April 2019, The Leonardo was topped out.
It was the tallest building on the continent from mid-April 2019 until 29 April 2019, when it was surpassed by the Great Mosque of Algiers Tower in Algeria.
Historical Context
To fully appreciate the significance of The Leonardo, it is helpful to consider the timeline of tallest buildings in South Africa:
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- The Standard Bank Centre was the tallest building in Africa from 1968 to 1970.
- For a brief period in 1973, the Marble Towers held the title of tallest building in Africa.
- Carlton Centre was the tallest building in Africa for 46 years.
The Standard Bank Centre was the first building in South Africa taller than the Great Pyramid of Giza (138.5 m (454 ft)), which had been the continent's tallest structure from its completion ca.
Other Notable Skyscrapers in South Africa
Johannesburg features a variety of commercial and residential buildings, including modern structures like the KwaDukuza eGoli Hotel and the Trust Bank Building. Here are some other notable skyscrapers in South Africa:
- Carlton Centre: At 223 metres (730 ft), it was the tallest building in Africa for 46 years and stands at about half the height of the Willis Tower (the former Sears Tower) in Chicago. The Carlton Centre has 50 floors.
- Ponte City: Built in 1975, this 54-story building is cylindrical, with an open center.
- Marble Towers: Built in 1973, it is 32 storeys tall and features an eight-storey parking garage.
- Trust Bank Building: Built in 1970 to a height of 140 metres (460 ft).
South African Cities with Skyscrapers
This table shows South African cities with at least one skyscraper over 100 metres in height, completed.
| City | Notable Skyscrapers |
|---|---|
| Johannesburg | The Leonardo, Carlton Centre, Trust Bank Building |
| Durban | 88 on Field, Old Mutual Centre, The Spinnaker |
| Cape Town | Portside, Metlife Centre, Shell House |
| Pretoria | ABSA Tower, Poyntons Centre, Saambou Bank Building |
Sandton City is a shopping centre located in Sandton, Johannesburg that was built as pioneer centre in 1973. The tower was built as part of a business park for downtown Sandton, a suburb of Johannesburg. Liberty Properties announced in 2008 that Sandton City would receive a R1.77 billion upgrade.
11 Diagonal Street was built in 1984 to a height of 80 metres (260 ft).
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