Sandton, Financial district in Johannesburg, South Africa
Sandton is a business district in the northern part of Johannesburg, marked by glass and steel high-rises with wide streets and modern shopping centers between them. The architecture feels contemporary and shows a mix of office towers, residential complexes, and retail spaces connected by pedestrian walkways and public squares.
The district emerged in the late 1960s through the merging of two neighboring residential areas and developed into an important economic hub in the following decades. Many companies moved their offices here as they left the historic center of Johannesburg and established themselves in this northern area.
The public square takes its name from Nelson Mandela and displays a bronze sculpture of the former president that has become a popular meeting point for locals and visitors. Weekends often bring spontaneous concerts and art markets where South African designers present their work.
The Gautrain station offers fast connections to the airport and other parts of the city, while several bus lines run through the district. Many areas are walkable, but distances between individual building complexes can be considerable, especially during the hot summer months.
Some high-rise rooftops feature helicopter landing pads used daily by business people for quick transfers between different parts of the city. These air connections have become a practical alternative to road traffic, which is often congested during rush hours.
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