Carlton Centre — Attraction in Johannesburg Ward 124

The Carlton Centre is a skyscraper and shopping centre located in downtown Johannesburg, South Africa. At 223 metres (732 ft), it has been the tallest office building in Africa since 1973. The Carlton Centre has 50 floors. The building houses both offices and shops, and has over 46 per cent of the floor area below ground level.

The 50th and topmost floor of the Carlton Centre was called the Carlton Panorama and is known colloquially as the "Top of Africa". Once the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere, the Carlton Centre opened with the 5-star and 30-story Carlton Hotel taking up most of the floor space of the complex. The hotel was popular among the rich and famous, hosting many famous guests over the years. Urban decay in the inner city during the 1990s affected the hotel, which ceased operations in 1998 after nearly 25 years of operation.

Now, the 50th floor is a tourist spot where you pay to see the whole of gauteng from the East, West, North and South. The feeling is indescribable. For people scared of heights, you can enjoy the view without blinking an eye because it is safe and enclosed. You even get to see lots of historical representation. I recommend you visit the Carlton Centre whenever you are in Joburg!

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We had an unpleasant experience at the Carlton Centre while waiting for our Uber. As soon as the car was arriving and we got in, two men approached and confronted the driver, claiming that Ubers are not allowed to pick up passengers here and that only traditional taxis can operate. They demanded money from the driver as a kind of “fine.” Our driver was new and clearly intimidated, but fortunately, they eventually let us continue the trip, but we had to leave the car first.

For visitors, this creates an unsafe and stressful situation. The mall itself may be worth seeing (the elevator to the observation platform is defect), but the pickup area is poorly managed and dominated by aggressive taxi marshals. The mall security didn't intervene while watching the situation. I strongly recommend avoiding Uber pickups directly in front of the main entrance – rather meet your driver a street away.

It's our first vacation in South Africa. My wife and me at least would not visit the center and the area again (Besides, we seemed to be the only tourists there). Overall, we like the country very much so far, but this situation has made...

If you thrive in bustling environments, Carlton Centre is the perfect place for you. It's always buzzing with activity and people. However, if you're looking for a calm shopping experience, I wouldn't recommend it as it tends to be consistently crowded.

Navigating through the shopping area can be a bit challenging due to the heavy foot traffic. The escalators can sometimes be unreliable, requiring you to opt for the stairs instead. While this can be inconvenient, it's worth noting that the stairs are functional.

While Carlton Centre may not hold the same legendary status as it did in the past, it still offers a cool and vibrant atmosphere. The architecture and layout of the center retain a certain charm, even if it doesn't fully capture the nostalgia of the "good old days."

Overall, Carlton Centre is a place that attracts those who enjoy a lively and energetic environment. However, if you prefer a more relaxed and less crowded shopping experience, it may not be the...