Today, Sandton is the wealthiest district in South Africa. Only fifty years ago Sandton was home to the mink and manure set who enjoyed the horsey lifestyle on large gentlemen’s estates. Gradually residential areas opened up and big business was soon to follow. Now the CBD is home to top investment banks, financial consultants, the Johannesburg stock exchange, corporate head offices and one of the biggest convention centres on the continent, the Sandton Convention Centre. It is the new financial capital of South Africa.
The CBD is centred on Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square. Around the CBD is a string of five star hotels, the trendiest shopping complexes, upmarket night-life and stylish restaurants, a hallmark of this district.
The CBD also has the flagship station of the Gautrain rapid rail link and most venues are in easy walking distance.
The station is located on the corner of West Street and Rivonia Road and has connections to OR Tambo International Airport and an inter-city commuter service from Pretoria through Rosebank to Park Station, Johannesburg.
The suburbs around the CBD like Sandhurst and Sandown, home to Johannesburg’s wealthy, are out of this world. Just driving around these suburbs is very interesting – you will certainly see homes in every type of architectural design, from gorgeously tasteful to brash opulence.
Other suburbs around Sandton City include Illovo, Inanda and Hyde Park, the latter being home to the Hyde Park Shopping Centre and a Gautrain Station.
Sandton’s second “CBD” is Fourways. The many businesses around this node support a large population, and there are upmarket shopping centres and boutiques, restaurants, night-life and entertainment options aplenty.
Fourways is also home to Montecasino, a surreal gaming experience and entertainment hub. Montecasino also has a wonderful bird garden that is fun for the whole family. The very popular Design Quarter, where sourcing the latest décor item for your home can be combined with a very trendy lunch.
Close to Fourways are a host of upmarket residential areas, like Bryanston, Lonehill, Rivonia, Sunninghill, Douglasdale and Hurlingham each with their own set of unique shopping options.
Sandton extends east of Sandton City to a third “CBD” around Woodmead, with supporting residential areas like Wendywood, Buccleuch and Kelvin.
See all the attractions in the Johannesburg Metropole.
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