Page 318 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

316  GA UTENG , LIMPOPO AND MPUM ALANGA

The impressive Carlton Centre, a landmark on the downtown Johannesburg skyline
E Standard Bank Art Gallery includes relics from the early Gandhi, who came to
Cnr Simmonds and Fredericks sts. gold-rush days as well as Johannesburg in 1903 and
Tel 011 631 4467. Open 8am– modern sculptures and water worked as a lawyer and civil
4:30pm Mon–Fri, 9am–1pm Sat. features. On weekdays Main rights activist. Gandhi’s
Closed Sun, public hols. 7 Street is filled with office- profession often brought him
∑ sponsorships.standardbank.com workers enjoying the street to the Transvaal Law Courts
The unusual setting of a cafés and with a high security (now demolished), which were
working bank conceals a presence, it’s a safe area to located in the square.
sophisticated gallery that explore. Look out for the In 2003, a larger-than-life-
provides a remarkable Leaping Impala sculpture sized statue of Gandhi in his
showcase for talented local and outside the Anglo American lawyer’s robes by sculptor
international artists. As well as building; a mine headgear Trinka Christopher was
changing exhibitions, the structure on the corner of Sauer unveiled here. Trendy shops,
display features part of the Street that was once at the restaurants and cafés line the
Standard Bank’s own extensive Langlaagte Mine; the Art Deco southern side of the square.
collection. The gallery has easy- bas relief on the side of the BHP
to-follow explanations of both Billiton building, showing P Carlton Centre &
the collection and the African scenes of early miners working Top of Africa
fine art form. The building also above and below ground; and 150 Commissioner Street. Tel 011 308
hosts recitals and concerts. the stamp mill in front of the 1331. Open 9am–6pm Mon–Fri, 9am–
Chamber of Mines building. 5pm Sat, 9am–2pm Sun. & - =
P Main Street Mall A key downtown landmark, the
In the heart of the central P Gandhi Square Carlton Centre is 50 storeys or
business district, this traffic-free The former Government 223 m (730 ft) tall, making it
section of Main Street runs from Square, dating from 1893, the African continent’s highest
the Magistrates Court on Ntemi was completely refurbished as building. For a small fee visitors
Piliso Street in the west to a large piazza-style public can take the lift up to the Top
Gandhi Square in the east. It is space in 2002 as part of a of Africa observation deck on
lined with office blocks that are wider redevelopment of the the 50th floor, where amazing
home to many corporate and surrounding district. The panoramic views of the city
mining companies. Dubbed the square was also given a new can be enjoyed. On very clear
Mining District Walk, an outdoor name, after the prominent days, the Voortrekker
museum along the street Indian politician Mahatma Monument near Pretoria can
be seen. The building was
completed in 1973 as part of
a hotel complex, although the
hotel no longer operates.
Today there is a shopping mall
on the lower levels.
E Johannesburg Art Gallery
King George St, Joubert Park. Tel 011
725 3130. Open 10am–5pm Tue–Sun.
Closed Good Fri, 25 Dec. - =
This gallery offers displays of
traditional, historical and
Gandhi Square, with a statue of the Indian pacifist modern South African art, as
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp389–90 and pp408–10

316-317_EW_South_Africa.indd 316 25/05/17 2:47 pm