Sandton City
Sandton City is a major upscale shopping centre and mixed-use commercial complex in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Sandton City is a large shopping centre and mixed-use commercial complex in Sandton, Johannesburg, Gauteng. It opened to the public on 12 September 1973 after property developers Rapp and Maister developed a four-hectare site opposite the proposed Sandton municipal centre, working with brothers Hilliard and Eli Leibowitz. The project was conceived as a major retail and office destination at a time when Sandton was developing as a distinct commercial node north of central Johannesburg. The original centre was a substantial Brutalist concrete structure, reflecting the architectural style common in South Africa during the late 1960s and early 1970s. At opening, it contained approximately 120 stores arranged over two retail levels, together with parking and office accommodation. Its scale and concentration of retail space made it a landmark in Johannesburg shopping and helped establish Sandton as a prominent business and leisure district. The complex expanded significantly during the following decades. By 1983, the centre reportedly contained about 240 stores and 8,000 parking spaces, while additional space was added through the development of office and hotel facilities. The 564-room Sandton Sun Hotel became part of the broader complex in 1984. During the 1990s, common areas were refurbished and the area in front of the Sandton Library was redeveloped into Sandton Square, later known as Nelson Mandela Square. The two destinations were connected by a skybridge, creating a larger retail, dining and hospitality precinct. Further modernization followed in the 2000s. Store numbers reached approximately 295 by 2001, parking capacity grew to around 10,000 bays, and new facilities included a food court, a large video wall, a Home Living retail level and refurbishment of the cinema complex. The centre has continued to combine everyday retail, food and entertainment with premium and luxury shopping. Its tenant mix has included international luxury houses such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Patek Philippe and Dolce & Gabbana, alongside department stores, supermarkets, cinemas, restaurants, banks and service businesses. The office components have also been renewed. In 2013, the Twin Towers office section was reclad with a contemporary glass exterior and became known as Atrium on 5th. The office tower underwent another external modernization in 2014, and a new wing was added to connect the Edgars and Woolworths courts. Refurbishment of entertainment areas and adjoining stores began in 2017. Sandton City has approximately 128,000 square metres of gross leasable retail area. Including associated office accommodation and the Sandton Sun Hotel, the broader complex has been described as covering approximately 215,000 square metres. Together with Nelson Mandela Square, it forms one of Africa's largest integrated retail precincts and is frequently associated with Sandton's reputation as a high-value commercial and tourism district. The centre remained active during the COVID-19 restrictions in 2020, although most non-essential stores closed during South Africa's lockdown beginning on 26 March. Supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, mobile-operator outlets and other essential services were permitted to continue operating, and other stores reopened as restrictions eased. Sandton City is therefore best understood not as a product manufacturer but as a destination brand built around retail leasing, luxury commerce, hospitality, offices, entertainment and urban placemaking.
History
Sandton City's origins date to 1968, when property developers Rapp and Maister acquired approximately four hectares of land on the corner of 5th Street and Rivonia Road. The site had previously been used as a stud farm and was positioned opposite the planned Sandton municipal centre. Rapp and Maister proposed a major shopping centre with an office tower, but the development faced opposition from parts of the Johannesburg City Council and residents of Sandown. The proposal was considered by the Townships Board and was ultimately approved, including permission for a substantial combination of retail, office and other commercial space. Construction produced a 21-storey concrete shopping-centre complex characteristic of early-1970s Brutalist architecture. Sandton City opened on 12 September 1973 with approximately 120 stores on two retail levels, about 50,000 square metres of initial retail space, parking for roughly 2,500 cars in structured facilities and additional office accommodation. The centre was among Johannesburg's first large-scale modern shopping malls and changed the scale of retail provision in the northern suburbs. The original development also incorporated an outer plaza with offices, bank branches, medical suites and a steak house. A bridge linked the complex with the Sandton Library, a medical clinic and the Sandton Council building. A post office and Ster-Kinekor cinema complex occupied part of the lower level, with the cinema remaining associated with the centre over subsequent decades. Expansion during the 1980s increased the number of stores and parking bays. By 1983, Sandton City reportedly had 240 stores and 8,000 parking spaces, and additional office and tower space had been developed. In 1984, the 564-room Sandton Sun Hotel was added to the wider complex, reinforcing the site's mixed-use character and its role in business and tourism. The 1990s brought major refurbishment of shared areas and a significant urban connection. The area near the library was redeveloped as Sandton Square, later renamed Nelson Mandela Square, and the two precincts were linked by a skybridge. A pyramid-shaped roof was also added to Sandton City, becoming one of the development's most recognizable architectural features. During the 2000s, the centre added retail capacity and upgraded visitor facilities. Store numbers reached approximately 295 in 2001, while parking capacity rose to around 10,000 bays. A new food court and large video wall were introduced, the Home Living level was developed in 2002, and the cinema complex was refurbished. These changes broadened the centre beyond conventional shopping and strengthened its food, entertainment and lifestyle functions. The 2010s focused on architectural renewal and improved connections between retail courts. In 2013, the Twin Towers office section was reclad with a modern glass exterior and renamed Atrium on 5th. The office tower received a further external revamp in 2014, with new cladding applied over the earlier concrete structure. A new wing linked the Edgars and Woolworths courts, while refurbishment of entertainment areas and adjoining stores began in 2017 and was planned for completion in 2018. Sandton City was affected by South Africa's COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. From 26 March, most stores closed temporarily, while essential businesses such as supermarkets, pharmacies, banks and mobile-service outlets continued operating under the applicable restrictions. Non-essential retail returned as lockdown measures eased. The centre remains a major retail and commercial destination, closely integrated with Nelson Mandela Square, the Sandton Sun Hotel and surrounding office development.
- 2020
COVID-19 operating restrictions
[1]Most stores closed during South Africa's lockdown from 26 March, while essential retailers and services remained open.
- 2017
Entertainment-area refurbishment begins
[1]A major refurbishment of entertainment areas and adjoining stores began, with completion planned for 2018.
- 2014
Office tower modernization and new wing
[1]The office tower received new external cladding and a new wing was added between the Edgars and Woolworths courts.
- 2013
Twin Towers reclad
[1]The Twin Towers office section was given a contemporary glass exterior and became known as Atrium on 5th.
- 2002
Home Living and cinema upgrades
[1]A Home Living retail level was developed and the cinema complex received refurbishment.
- 2001
Retail and parking capacity expanded
[1]Store numbers reached approximately 295 and parking capacity increased to about 10,000 bays; a food court and large video wall were also added.
- 1990
Sandton Square connection developed
[1]The area near the Sandton Library was redeveloped into Sandton Square, connected to Sandton City by a skybridge. The exact completion year is not specified in the source material.
- 1984
Sandton Sun Hotel added
[1]The 564-room Sandton Sun Hotel became part of the wider Sandton City complex.
- 1983
First major expansion
[1]The centre had grown to about 240 stores and 8,000 parking bays, with additional tower and office space.
- 1973
Sandton City opens
[1]The centre opened to the public on 12 September with approximately 120 stores, retail space, parking and offices.
Products and positioning
An upscale, mixed-use retail and leisure destination combining premium and luxury shopping with dining, entertainment, offices and hotel accommodation in Sandton's central commercial district.
Shopping centre · 1973
Sandton City shopping centre
The core offering is a large enclosed retail centre with approximately 128,000 square metres of gross leasable retail area. Its tenant mix spans luxury boutiques, department stores, home and lifestyle retailers, supermarkets, dining venues, banks, telecommunications outlets and other consumer services.
Luxury retail
Luxury retail precinct
Sandton City hosts premium and international luxury brands, including examples such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Patek Philippe and Dolce & Gabbana. This tenant mix supports the centre's positioning as an upscale destination for South African and international shoppers.
Leisure and hospitality · 1973
Entertainment and dining
The complex includes restaurants, food-court facilities and a cinema complex. Entertainment and adjoining retail areas were subject to refurbishment beginning in 2017, extending the centre's role beyond shopping.
Mixed-use property · 1984
Associated office and hotel complex
Together with office accommodation and the Sandton Sun Hotel, the wider development totals approximately 215,000 square metres. The office component includes Atrium on 5th, created through the modernization of the former Twin Towers section.
Brand decisions
2020
Temporary closure of most stores during COVID-19 lockdownOtherBackground
South Africa's national COVID-19 lockdown restricted non-essential retail operations from 26 March 2020.
Action taken
Sandton City closed most stores temporarily while allowing supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, mobile-operator outlets and other essential services to operate under the restrictions.
Aftermath
Non-essential stores reopened as lockdown restrictions were eased.
Recent events
- 2020
Sandton City closes most stores during South African COVID-19 lockdown[1]
Regulation · Other
Beginning on 26 March 2020, most Sandton City stores closed under South Africa's COVID-19 lockdown. Essential retailers and services, including supermarkets, pharmacies, banks and mobile-operator outlets, were allowed to remain open. Other stores resumed trading as restrictions were relaxed.
Sources2 sources
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