Johannesburg Central (original) (raw)
Jo�burg�s inner city has had its share of stigma. The 1990s, after the Group Areas Act was scrapped, brought thousands of people who had been forbidden to live here, into the city centre, many of them immigrants from war torn African nations and others from surrounding black townships. Crime levels rose, the state of many buildings in Johannesburg�s centre deteriorated and business fled to the northern suburbs and Sandton. Johannesburg�s centre became a problem.
But government has been quick to revive the city centre. Drastic measures to reduce crime and a whole urban development effort, including a tax incentive scheme aimed at encouraging inner city renewal, are reviving the inner city. The beautiful arc that is the Nelson Mandela bridge, which leads across to the Market Theatre, touted as the city�s cultural focus, was just the beginning.
The draft inner city charter is incredibly ambitious and in its scope it commits to some 77 deadlines that will turn Jo�burg central into a safe, flourishing and liveable city. Included in these plans are 5000 short-term accommodation units and 50 000 affordable flats. Plans for more visible policing as well as the refurbishing of streets and the planting of trees to make the streets of Johannesburg walkable are also planned.
Johannesburg�s inner city is dynamic and things change by the minute. Whilst it may have been �off limits� for the past decade, Newtown�s regeneration and private redevelopment of historical office buildings in the city�s financial district have combined to make elements of the city attractive. And there are other attractions like the planetarium and the Johannesburg Fort, a tour of the old prison fort where famous activists were held prisoner.
Travellers' Reviews
1 Review from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified reviewfair
Its a big city, what more can you expect. There are restuarants and bars and plenty places to let your hair down. Its not my cup of tea.
Michelle (Cape Town)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Hotel
ANEW Hotel Parktonian
The ANEW Hotel Parktonian offers a wide variety of services to ensure a successful and memorable stay, be it for business or leisure. The hotel ...
Guest House / Bed & Breakfast
High BnB Guest Lodge
High BnB Guest Lodge offers bed and breakfast accommodation, and is located in Rosettenville, Johannesburg. The guest house is the ideal base fro...
Hotel
Garden Top Hotel
The Garden Top Hotel offers accommodation in Johannesburg in the Bezuidenhout Valley, just 3.5km from Kensington and less than 20 minutes from OR...
Self Catering
Bamboo Cottage
Bamboo Cottage is a Japanese/ African Inspired apartment that is centrally located in a serene setting. There are two bedrooms, one is downstairs...
Things to do in the area
Museums
Department of Historical Papers
The Department of Historical Papers was established in 1966 and is located in the William Cullen Library of the University of the Witwatersrand. ...
Restaurants: Casual Dining
1 Fox Precinct
In similar style to the Maboneng Precinct over on Fox and Kruger Streets in Johannesburg�s inner-city, 1 Fox Precinct lies in a couple of old war...
Museums
Sports & Leisure
Watch an Orlando Pirates Soccer Match
Orlando Pirates is South Africa�s oldest football club formed in 1937 in Orlando East, Soweto and their performances over the years have served a...
Parks & Gardens
Rose Park
Set in the heart of Lenasia, Rose Park rests between Smarag and Argon streets. As its name suggests has an entrance lined with rose bushes that l...
Art Galleries
Joubert Park
Joubert Park lies right in the city centre, the heart of Johannesburg, just behind the Noord Street taxi rank. It's the oldest park in the city, ...
Miscellaneous
Enjoy views of Jozi
For views of Johannesburg head to the top of Africa�s tallest building and enjoy the view and city lights of the city from the observation deck o...
Caf�s & Eateries
The Radium Beerhall
The Radium Beerhall is the oldest bar and grill in Johannesburg, steeped in history, tumult and legend. The Radium's history reaches as far back ...
Museums
Noteworthy attractions
Golf Courses
Crown Mines Golf Club
South Africa is famous for its gold, and Crown Mines Golf Club is built in genuine mining country, just a few kilometres southeast of central Joh...
Golf Courses
Observatory Golf Club
Observatory Golf Course is one of the less well known Johannesburg courses, but just as good as many of its more famous neighbors. A sophisticate...
Golf Courses
Randpark Golf Club
With two very distinct but different golf courses, Randpark offers golfers of varying ability an unforgettable experience on two of the finest an...
Golf Courses
Royal Johannesburg Golf Club
The World Atlas of Golf, which lists the great courses and how they are played, features just two South African clubs on its hallowed pages. One ...
Airports
OR Tambo International Airport
Formerly officially known as Johannesburg International Airport, the OR Tambo International Airport is a large airport near the city of Johannesb...
Landmarks
East Rand Flea Market
Just outside Johannesburg in Boksburg, the East Rand Flea Market lies right next to the East Rand Mall, and as a result, is open just about all w...
Shopping
East Rand Mall
The popular East Rand Mall takes full advantage of the prime position of this area and offers a variety of restaurants, boutiques, chain stores a...
Museums
Absa Money Museum
Home to the largest collection of money used in South Africa�s past in the world, Absa Money Museum lies in downtown Johannesburg on Troye Street...
Landmarks
Apartheid Museum
The Apartheid Museum is the story of the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. Beginning in 1948, the white elected National Party governme...
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