Africa’s Tallest Skyscraper Nears Completion – The Leonardo in Sandton: PHOTOS

Sandton’s skyline in Johannesburg, South Africa, is rapidly changing, with one particular new building standing proud as it’s set to soon become Africa’s tallest building when it’s completed later this year. All photos on this page captured by CHARLES JOHNSTONE – Johannesburg based professional photographer.

The Leonardo, which is located in downtown Sandton (known for being the richest square mile in Africa), will become the continent’s tallest building with a height of 230 metres.

That means it will surpass Africa’s current tallest building – Joburg CBD’s well known Carlton Tower – which reaches ‘only’ 223 metres.

What makes the Leonardo extra-special, compared to other large projects in South Africa, is that it was fully designed by a South African team.

“It was a huge honour and an incredible responsibility to be given a job like that, and it’s unusual because most of the very large jobs in South Africa are done by overseas architects that are brought in and then there’s a local architect of record.

“But in this case the entire professional team is South African,” says Patrick McInerney, director of the Co-Arc International Architects.

The $230 million skyscraper was born out of a previously failed development, and has become a silver lining in one of South Africa’s worst economic periods, according to Reuters.

The construction phase has created 20,000 jobs.

“Building a structure that had to be 50 stories in that existing hole was quite a challenge, and began to dictate what the building looked like. It is a beacon of hope, it’s kind of, in a depressed economy that South Africa’s been in, it’s a major statement about an optimism about the future of South Africa and its people,” said McInerney.

In 2017, Sandton attracted around 24 million visitors, this could rise significantly when the Leonardo opens its doors, according to China Central Television (CCTV).

According to CCTV, the mixed development skyscraper will host the highest hotel in Africa and a 360 degree sky tower on the top floor.

“People love views. They love to get up and see where they are, and to see where the other nodes of the city are as well. And this one being sort of the furthest north, it’s going to be stunning because you also going to get that whole view into Magaliesburg and into the Pretoria area,” said Laura Vercueil, communication manager of the Johannesburg Tourism.

Sources: Reuters and CCTV

To view more stunning photos of Johannesburg and surrounds, please follow Charles Johnstone on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/coarcinternational/photos/rpp.1906777036118620/1906781472784843/?type=3&theater