This thread will show you all the Urban Renewal happenings and the newly gentrified areas around the Jo'burg CBD. The Jo'burg CBD Urban Renewal Project is one of the largest projects of it's kind in the world.




_________________________________________________________________________________

I will first start with Braamfontein

Braamfontein is an area within the Johannesburg CBD located near Park Station and connected to the rest of the Jo'burg CBD by the Nelson Mandela Bridge. Braamfontein is a very youthful and artisitic area of Jo'burg as it is the location of Wits University, one of the most prominent universities in Africa. Braamfontein is undergoing heavy urban renewal and is turning to a vibey, trendy, and edgy part of Jo'burg with a mix of old and modern.. very similar to London.


http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/6225/picture10tm.png

The next couple of photos is quoted from Jo'burg forumer Jakes1 in the Johannesburg Inner City Urban Renewal Thread.


Braamfontein is making amazing progress, especially around Juta, Melle, De Korte Streets.

I just liked this pic
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011064.jpg

The Neighbourhoods Market, perfect place to spend Saturday mornings!
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011071.jpg

Looking at the Milner Hotel (undergoing renovation) from Post Coffee in Juta Street
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011075.jpg

Colourful 70 on Juta, with amazing stores
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011032.jpg

The Lamunu Hotel and The Grove
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011045.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011044.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011041.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011040.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011003.jpg

..

70 on Juta
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011028.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011027.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011020.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011023.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011029.jpg

Furniture design studio (Dokters and Misses) - Juta Street
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011031.jpg

Great coffee @ Doubleshot, corner of Melle and Juta
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011036.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011006.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011007.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011005.jpg

..

The FishBowl Apartments
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011017.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011014.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011019.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011015.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011074.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011016.jpg

..

Brookielace and gold
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011012.jpg

New tenants in Juta Street
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011009.jpg

South Point Central, Melle Street
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011035.jpg


http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011050.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011048.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011053.jpg

..

Narina Trogon in De Korte, buzzing during lunch
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011049.jpg


I like this building, but it is very very very kitch!
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011033.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011037.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Braamfontein2011010.jpg

..

This should suffice for now, I'll post more pics from around the internet later.

Thoughts? questions? concerns?

Football game

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6090/6134039468_d952cc30b9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/43066879@N06/6134039468/)
World Cup Fever @ The Grove (http://www.flickr.com/photos/43066879@N06/6134039468/) by mrbaggins1 (http://www.flickr.com/people/43066879@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6200/6133491699_d3604e1874_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/43066879@N06/6133491699/)
Neighbourgoods Market (http://www.flickr.com/photos/43066879@N06/6133491699/) by mrbaggins1 (http://www.flickr.com/people/43066879@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6173/6134041370_2eb59c23e0_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/43066879@N06/6134041370/)
I Want To Buy Your Bicycle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/43066879@N06/6134041370/) by mrbaggins1 (http://www.flickr.com/people/43066879@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6074/6133502025_85f6f5c8e6_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/43066879@N06/6133502025/)
Greenpop (http://www.flickr.com/photos/43066879@N06/6133502025/) by mrbaggins1 (http://www.flickr.com/people/43066879@N06/), on Flickr

"Central" Braamfontein

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2506/4028482867_9017ab83db_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/43066879@N06/4028482867/)
Downtown Wildlife (http://www.flickr.com/photos/43066879@N06/4028482867/) by mrbaggins1 (http://www.flickr.com/people/43066879@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6042/6332944048_6c599dcf68_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/43066879@N06/6332944048/)
Night of a 1000 Drawings (http://www.flickr.com/photos/43066879@N06/6332944048/) by mrbaggins1 (http://www.flickr.com/people/43066879@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4083/5108376142_79c0705e16_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/43066879@N06/5108376142/)
Lamunu Hotel Entrance (http://www.flickr.com/photos/43066879@N06/5108376142/) by mrbaggins1 (http://www.flickr.com/people/43066879@N06/), on Flickr

Nice pictures, however, I really don't see the parallel between here and London at all. London looks very different to most things shown in these photos and, I'd imagine it feels rather different too. This is not to detract from what I see here (as I am impressed) more that I don't see the comparison.

Nice pictures, however, I really don't see the parallel between here and London at all. London looks very different to most things shown in these photos and, I'd imagine it feels rather different too. This is not to detract from what I see here (as I am impressed) more that I don't see the comparison.

It's not so much the looks but the vibe. Some people look down on Jo'burg so I hope I didn't offend you by comparing it to London.


I still think it's got quite a London vibe though.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2666/3836271404_0af64a84de_z.jpg?zz=1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/christopics/3836271404/)
nathan-"Personal Space Protector"_0027 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/christopics/3836271404/) by Christo Doherty (http://www.flickr.com/people/christopics/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6162/6139550446_80c90a9847_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zaahirahb/6139550446/)
LOTD (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zaahirahb/6139550446/) by zaamissbowtie (http://www.flickr.com/people/zaahirahb/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6169/6139547404_442033c3b2_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zaahirahb/6139547404/)
building (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zaahirahb/6139547404/) by zaamissbowtie (http://www.flickr.com/people/zaahirahb/), on Flickr


http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/8804/picture3lrq.png
Source (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rika76/3531497436/)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5104/5606805733_8818655d90_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stardustza/5606805733/)
New Funky Hangout at Seventy Juta Street, Braamfontein (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stardustza/5606805733/) by {Stardustza} (http://www.flickr.com/people/stardustza/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5065/5607380060_cea28d2aba_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stardustza/5607380060/)
DSC03809 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stardustza/5607380060/) by {Stardustza} (http://www.flickr.com/people/stardustza/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5265/5606833439_3d4176105e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stardustza/5606833439/)
DSC03814 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stardustza/5606833439/) by {Stardustza} (http://www.flickr.com/people/stardustza/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5228/5606740863_c485dc0240_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stardustza/5606740863/)
DSC03799 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stardustza/5606740863/) by {Stardustza} (http://www.flickr.com/people/stardustza/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5107/5607050210_e6c8b1b344_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stardustza/5607050210/)
DSC03710 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stardustza/5607050210/) by {Stardustza} (http://www.flickr.com/people/stardustza/), on Flickr

nice...

nice...

Thanks Pule!

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6073/6147220103_5582d48759_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66703271@N00/6147220103/)
Velo coffee_4 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66703271@N00/6147220103/) by biancazar (http://www.flickr.com/people/66703271@N00/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6203/6147224167_c8a185c35a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66703271@N00/6147224167/)
Neighbourgoods JHB_3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66703271@N00/6147224167/) by biancazar (http://www.flickr.com/people/66703271@N00/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6158/6147221211_4757035c16_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66703271@N00/6147221211/)
Velo coffee_3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66703271@N00/6147221211/) by biancazar (http://www.flickr.com/people/66703271@N00/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6061/6147217905_bf0eddd8f8_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66703271@N00/6147217905/)
Velo coffee_6 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66703271@N00/6147217905/) by biancazar (http://www.flickr.com/people/66703271@N00/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6187/6147049828_051898ee53_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66703271@N00/6147049828/)
Neighbourgoods market JHB_4 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66703271@N00/6147049828/) by biancazar (http://www.flickr.com/people/66703271@N00/), on Flickr

Only 2 comments and one of them was from a forumer who lives in Jo'burg.


I guess no one's interested, how discouraging. :(

Sad, isnt it. But dont dispear. Us Joburgers love the place!

Give it time, people browse...the photos are great and the whole vibe is awesome there - I think most people will be impressed when they see this...I know I want to go there!

Dont forget Randlords - total hotspot in Braamies - 22nd floor South Point Towers.

The world's cities cannot have enough rooftop bars!

http://www.randlords.co.za/admin/uploads/big/The%20Venue//f3ccdd27d2000e3f9255a7e3e2c48800.jpg

http://www.randlords.co.za/admin/uploads/big/Meetings%20Africa%20-%20Welcome%20Party%202011//f3ccdd27d2000e3f9255a7e3e2c48800.jpg

http://www.randlords.co.za/admin/uploads/big/AFI%20Jo'burg%20Fashion%20Week%20Launch%202011//156005c5baf40ff51a327f1c34f29752.jpg



http://www.randlords.co.za/admin/uploads/big/The%20Venue//156005c5baf40ff51a327f1c34f2975b.jpg

http://www.randlords.co.za/admin/uploads/big/The%20Venue//032b2cc936860b03048302d991c3498f.jpg

Photos courtesy of randlords.co.za

^^

:eek: I didn't even know about that place, looks awesome!!

This thread has been changed to include all the urban renewal projects and gentrification of the Joburg CBD.

Tomorrow will be the Maboneng Precinct, stay tuned. :)

nice thread musiccity, and awesome photos...:cheers:

nice thread musiccity, and awesome photos...:cheers:

Thank you Linguine!

great pics. Very colourful and vibrant. PLease post more

Only 2 comments and one of them was from a forumer who lives in Jo'burg.


I guess no one's interested, how discouraging. :(

Well, here is a comment from a forumer living in Belgium. It looks great and I am really impressed. From a tourist point of view (because that is what I have allways been in your country, albeit 7 times already), Johannesburg is turning slowly but surely from a no go zone into a must visit zone. Things like this don't happen overnight of course but what you are posting here is convincing me that it WILL happen. By the way, very recently we had an article in a travel section of a respected newspaper here in Belgium, encouraging people visiting SA to spend at least a couple of days in Joburg and for the first time, it was about so much more than only township visits.

So Joburg: keep up the good work! :okay:

^^

Thanks for the comment! Yes, Jo'burg is improving fairly rapidly and the crime rate in the city has dropped exponentially. (murder rate dropped from 95/100,000 in the 90's to 29/100,000 now)

Joburg is truly a fascinating city and I encourage people to spend more than a day here.

Interesting! Many years ago in Vegas, I've met a nice guy from South Africa , South African of Dutch descent.:cheers:

^^

That's an Afrikaner lol

Anyways, more pics coming soon!

Alright, the next couple of posts will be of the Maboneng Precinct, which is an area in the eastern part of the Joburg CBD around Fox Street that's under heavy rejuvination.



___________________________________________________________

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/393251_10150477625577547_711487546_9294458_2022145266_n.jpg
bottom buildings part of Maboneng

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/403247_10150477627137547_711487546_9294460_659264574_n.jpg

Rooftop Bar at 12 Decades Hotel

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/395488_10150477636577547_711487546_9294472_1356353005_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/405627_10150477640707547_711487546_9294480_1752813192_n.jpg

Source: Facebook - Gabi Hill

More photos of the Maboneng Precinct to come

Market on Main

-Renovated Buildings


http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/407450_301963293187186_139298972786953_892613_156282358_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/395978_301915519858630_139298972786953_892238_1008343586_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/406463_301954623188053_139298972786953_892446_1628076064_n.jpg

Very interesting pictures.

I'm embarrassed to confess that my image of Johannesburg is something a long the lines of "you will get mugged/stabbed/car jacked at any minute and peril wait just around the next corner". So good to be shown wrong looking at your images (way wrong by the looks of it).

Seems like any other big, western city with a nice laid back lifestyle :) And some of those buildings and studios look simply awesome.

Very interesting pictures.

I'm embarrassed to confess that my image of Johannesburg is something a long the lines of "you will get mugged/stabbed/car jacked at any minute and peril wait just around the next corner". So good to be shown wrong looking at your images (way wrong by the looks of it).

Seems like any other big, western city with a nice laid back lifestyle :) And some of those buildings and studios look simply awesome.

You think this is nice? You should see Sandton, in Joburg's Northern Suburbs. It's called the richest square mile in Africa.

But onto the point you said, Joburg's crime stats aren't great but it's no worse that a rougher American city and the crime rate has dropped exponentially since Joburg gained it's poor reputation in the 90's. That said, there are still parts of Joburg that are no-go zones including parts of the CBD. There has been vast improvement in the CBD in the last couple of years (this thread's purpose is to show the improvement) but there are still decrepit and dangerous parts of the CBD. But in general Joburg is a very well developed city with an infrastructure that easily rivals 1st world countries.


Here's a thread for Sandton link (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=441525&page=53). The last couple of pages have the most recent photos.

You think this is nice? You should see Sandton, in Joburg's Northern Suburbs. It's called the richest square mile in Africa.

But onto the point you said, Joburg's crime stats aren't great but it's no worse that a rougher American city and the crime rate has dropped exponentially since Joburg gained it's poor reputation in the 90's. That said, there are still parts of Joburg that are no-go zones including parts of the CBD. There has been vast improvement in the CBD in the last couple of years (this thread's purpose is to show the improvement) but there are still decrepit and dangerous parts of the CBD. But in general Joburg is a very well developed city with an infrastructure that easily rivals 1st world countries.


Here's a thread for Sandton link (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=441525&page=53). The last couple of pages have the most recent photos.

Well Sandton looks nice indeed but I personally prefer the area in the first page of this thread. As a graphic designer it looks like the perfect place to have a studio with lots of cool renovated/converted spaces :)

How come some areas of the CBD are so bad BTW? I mean how did it decline (since I'm guessing the buildings there wasn't built as low income housing)? Would guess it mainly happened after Apartheid?

Well Sandton looks nice indeed but I personally prefer the area in the first page of this thread. As a graphic designer it looks like the perfect place to have a studio with lots of cool renovated/converted spaces :)

How come some areas of the CBD are so bad BTW? I mean how did it decline (since I'm guessing the buildings there wasn't built as low income housing)? Would guess it mainly happened after Apartheid?

:yes:

When the Group Areas Act was abolished in 1991, blacks from the townships flooded the CBD leaving the whites running out to the suburbs abandoning their apartments and offices. The new black residents who were disenfrachised under the Apartheid system now occupied the abandoned buildings. Since the new residents of the CBD were desperately poor, the CBD became very run down and dangerous.

Now, the Whites who abondoned the CBD moved their offices to Sandton which to this day is Johannesburg's functioning Central Business District. But things are starting to turn around.

Around 2006, 15 years later, there was a massive initiative to restore the now hellish CBD, there was also a motive drive by the Joburg City Government to encourage residents to clean up the city and gain pride in their city. Since then (and sped up by the World Cup) there has been gradual but extensive rehabilitation and renewal in hopes that one day, the CBD will restore to it's former glory.

Kind of a feel good story isn't it.



Also, I agree with you. Sandton is extremely modern but the renovated parts of the CBD have a much better vibe.

:yes:

When the Group Areas Act was abolished in 1991, blacks from the townships flooded the CBD leaving the whites running out to the suburbs abandoning their apartments and offices. The new black residents who were disenfrachised under the Apartheid system now occupied the abandoned buildings. Since the new residents of the CBD were desperately poor, the CBD became very run down and dangerous.

Now, the Whites who abondoned the CBD moved their offices to Sandton which to this day is Johannesburg's functioning Central Business District. But things are starting to turn around.

Around 2006, 15 years later, there was a massive initiative to restore the now hellish CBD, there was also a motive drive by the Joburg City Government to encourage residents to clean up the city and gain pride in their city. Since then (and sped up by the World Cup) there has been gradual but extensive rehabilitation and renewal in hopes that one day, the CBD will restore to it's former glory.

Kind of a feel good story isn't it.



Also, I agree with you. Sandton is extremely modern but the renovated parts of the CBD have a much better vibe.

So are you saying that the poor blacks moving out and the wealthier blacks and whites moving in?

I was in Joburg in the 1990's and stayed in Midrand. Sandton was impressive at that time but it lacks street life, no? Nice malls though. The CBD was rather empty and desolate on my last visit but I'm sure things have now changed. A little scary especially in the area near the large communications tower. Glad to see things turn around slowly.

So are you saying that the poor blacks moving out and the wealthier blacks and whites moving in?

I was in Joburg in the 1990's and stayed in Midrand. Sandton was impressive at that time but it lacks street life, no? Nice malls though. The CBD was rather scary on my last visit especially in the area near the large communications tower. Glad to see things turn around slowly.

The CBD was definitely a no-go zone in the 90's. That area your talking about is Hillbrow, one of the most dangerous places in South Africa. (still is)

But even Hillbrow is improving.

And to answer your first question, very few whites are really moving back into the CBD with the exception of a few renovated buildings-turned lofts in Braamfontein. But these gentrified areas are attracting Joburgers of all races as a trendy place to enjoy the weekend.

Your second question, Sandton lacked street life up until the completion of the Gautrain in August of 2011, now it's bustling with street life.

The CBD was definitely a no-go zone in the 90's. That area your talking about is Hillbrow, one of the most dangerous places in South Africa. (still is)

But even Hillbrow is improving.

And to answer your first question, very few whites are really moving back into the CBD with the exception of a few renovated buildings-turned lofts in Braamfontein. But these gentrified areas are attracting Joburgers of all races as a trendy place to enjoy the weekend.

Your second question, Sandton lacked street life up until the completion of the Gautrain in August of 2011, now it's bustling with street life.

Good to hear, the city has great potential.

^^

tons!

^^

tons!

Wow, you are the booster:banana:

Thanks :)


More Maboneng Precinct pictures


http://www.mabonengprecinct.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/arts_on_main-930x390.jpg

12 Decades Hotel

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/983/picture4zqr.png

Loft in the nearly completed Revolution House

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/7540/picture7tp.png

Urban Renewal.. (black building is the new Fox Street Studios)

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5670/picture8ax.png

mabonengprecinct.com

Musiccity, Im very impressed by your knowledge of Joburg and your great efforts on this forum. Cheers mate :okay:

Musiccity, Im very impressed by your knowledge of Joburg and your great efforts on this forum. Cheers mate :okay:

Thank you Briker! I may be moving to Jo'burg so I've been researching the city extensively.

Some pics of Braamfontein and the ongoing regeneration. Pics courtesy of jda.co.za website.

This rebirth is having ripple effects now as surrounding areas catch on. It is very nice to witness.

Nelson Mandela bridge precinct going in to the CBD

http://www.jda.co.za/images/phocagallery/braamies_mandela-bridge.jpg

New art installations dot the landscape

http://www.jda.co.za/images/phocagallery/braamies_eland.jpg

The Milner Park hotel back to its former glory

http://www.jda.co.za/images/phocagallery/braam3.jpg

New green spaces and theatre precinct

http://www.jda.co.za/images/phocagallery/braam1.jpg

Solar power for traffic lights

http://www.jda.co.za/images/phocagallery/braam7.jpg

The office node is thriving

http://www.jda.co.za/images/phocagallery/braam5.jpg

This thread slipped out of my mind :ohno:

I'll update with pics tomorrow, thanks for the picture Diggerdog!

I think its great. Braamies is looking pretty good now. But I have to disagree on the London point: it looks and feels NOTHING like London. Instead it looks and feels very South African (and the closest Joburg gets to the vibe of Cape Town CBD).

Quite why Joburg would want to emulate London is quite beyond me!

Ja, I kind of know what he meant about some areas of London, but it's not necessary to compare - Joburg is very unique, and only needs to emulate itself to become one of the worlds great cities.
Anyone who has been to Joburg will know it has a very definite vibe of its own, and it is actually pretty addictive!

Well I did change the title to Joburg's REBIRTH

These are pictures of Newtown, a neighborhood in the Jo'burg CBD known as the Cultural Hub of Johannesburg and has received widespread rejuvination.

http://www.newtown.co.za/images/uploadimages/dec2011/thumb_some_workers%20library.jpg

http://www.newtown.co.za/images/uploadimages/dec2011/thumb_some_sci-bono%20park.jpg

http://www.newtown.co.za/images/uploadimages/dec2011/thumb_some_sci-bono%20entrance.jpg

http://www.newtown.co.za/images/uploadimages/dec2011/thumb_some_Newtown%20Park.jpg

http://www.newtown.co.za/images/uploadimages/dec2011/thumb_some_bollards.jpg\


Source (http://www.newtown.co.za/gallery.php?galleryID=91)

Very nice! Please keep posting.

I just love how Braamfontein looks after the gentrification process. Very quaint, artsy, and hip; somewhere i would want to set up my music studio if i am settling down in Joburg. Nice pics musiccity!

^^

Thanks guys! More on the way

Pata Pata Restaurant - Maboneng Precinct

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5231/5876941433_5d8eff3972_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66703271@N00/5876941433/)
A metallic bar surface (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66703271@N00/5876941433/) by biancazar (http://www.flickr.com/people/66703271@N00/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5027/5877510250_f06207af3d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66703271@N00/5877510250/)
Play chess in a cozy corner (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66703271@N00/5877510250/) by biancazar (http://www.flickr.com/people/66703271@N00/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5308/5877515332_29e8791ba5_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66703271@N00/5877515332/)
Friends relaxing over dinner (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66703271@N00/5877515332/) by biancazar (http://www.flickr.com/people/66703271@N00/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5271/5877517202_5b981e6812_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66703271@N00/5877517202/)
Lelo, Restaurant and marketing manager of Pata Pata (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66703271@N00/5877517202/) by biancazar (http://www.flickr.com/people/66703271@N00/), on Flickr

Moreof the artsy Maboneng Precinct

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5027/5690049306_55c7759c8a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/soulproviders/5690049306/)
The fabulous rooftop bar - 12 Decades Hotel (http://www.flickr.com/photos/soulproviders/5690049306/) by SoulProviders.co.za (http://www.flickr.com/people/soulproviders/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5103/5689480101_f9d4494f44_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/soulproviders/5689480101/)
Main Street Life in Jozi (http://www.flickr.com/photos/soulproviders/5689480101/) by SoulProviders.co.za (http://www.flickr.com/people/soulproviders/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5261/5689481139_05ab196ab8_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/soulproviders/5689481139/)
The Bioscope - our favourite independent cinema in Johannesburg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/soulproviders/5689481139/) by SoulProviders.co.za (http://www.flickr.com/people/soulproviders/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5301/5693127324_6fc2fc61d3_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/soulproviders/5693127324/)
Arts on Main courtyard and rooftop bar... love it (http://www.flickr.com/photos/soulproviders/5693127324/) by SoulProviders.co.za (http://www.flickr.com/people/soulproviders/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5303/5692559141_782d999824_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/soulproviders/5692559141/)
An artist sketches in the afternoon sun while visitors do some people watching (http://www.flickr.com/photos/soulproviders/5692559141/) by SoulProviders.co.za (http://www.flickr.com/people/soulproviders/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5267/5692512993_c29d7f0730_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/soulproviders/5692512993/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/soulproviders/5692512993/) by SoulProviders.co.za (http://www.flickr.com/people/soulproviders/), on Flickr

The following pictures are shots from all over the CBD from Joburg forumer Jakes1, also read his commentary on the photos for a better understanding.

..Some pictures of my walkabout the other day. I kniow we have a photo forum, but I find more people view pics here.

This little space is in Main Street, a block from the Carlton Hotel. When I last walked by here, raw sewage seeped out into the street. Half of the building was destroyed by fire, while loads of people lived on the upper levels in shacks. It also looked like a car workshop (or chop shop) was operating in the alley between the two. Things are looking up today.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Joburg075.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Joburg076.jpg

..Nino's moved out of their space in lower Main, now they operate right accross from the Capello's on the Corner of Loveday and Main. Never been a Nino's fan, but they do cater for the office people. A new coffee space moved into the old Nino space.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Joburg081.jpg

Looking unimpressive from outside, but this Japanese restaurant in Anderson street was packed for lunch.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Joburg088.jpg

Good ol' Pino's in Fox street. They have just always been here.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Joburg055.jpg

This is in Fox Street. Last time I walked past here it was some dingy beer hall/ gambling joint. Now it is a rather fun space where one can have decent and relatively cheap food. I also like the fact that it is not a KFC, Fish&Chips or anything else.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Joburg072.jpg

..

Chancellor House, facing the Magistrate's Court.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Joburg048.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Joburg047.jpg

..City Hall and environs: This was one of the most neglected areas in the city. Oppenheimer park was a dump. The Barbican and the Post Office were both falling apart. Then the Post Office burnt down. The fountains were stolen, and squatters moved into the pump station. Bleeegh.

Today?

Oppenheimer Park
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Joburg060.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Joburg062.jpg

The Barbican: Still no tenants - parking is one of the main challenges. At least the building is saved.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Joburg065.jpg

City Hall
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Joburg067.jpg

Scaffolding going up, soon this building will be gleaming as well.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Joburg066.jpg

Post Office: The building has been stabilised, and they are systematically working through the rubble. With the roof replaced, at least further serious damage will be curtailed.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Joburg064.jpg

..Diagonal street. Looking very neat and tidy. Sad about the Diamond building. And really, whoever painted the Gardees Arcade did a terrible job. Like the vibrant colour though. The Franklin upgrades continue (at a snail's pace). The lower level is getting more and more glam, it seems.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Joburg039.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Joburg037.jpg

Beyer's Naude Square: Do you guys remember the horrible Library Gardens with those facebrick structures that were falling apart?
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Joburg024.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Joburg023.jpg

..This is another non-descript little building, corner of Fox and Ferraira. It was a dump the last time I walked by.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Joburg043.jpg



It's amazing how something as little as getting new windows can change the entire look of a building.

Some pictures around Braamfontein and Maboneng


Photos from lightnessofbeingme (http://lightnessofbeing.me/2012/01/23/48-hours-in-johannesburg/)

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/3023/dsc2366u.jpg

http://img806.imageshack.us/img806/6972/dsc2364v.jpg

http://img813.imageshack.us/img813/5620/decades22.jpg

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/4120/dsc2410i.jpg

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/1896/decades2.jpg

http://img862.imageshack.us/img862/4089/dsc0233th.jpg

Lets hope in the coming years they start to build towers again in the cbd

They will, but regeneration is the first step - you need LIFE! And those photos show exactly that, cosmopolitan SA people in the BIG bad city having a great time!

Lovely photos, makes me want to be there NOW!

^^

You are right about regeneration! I don't think the Jo'burg CBD will never be restored to it's former glory as a financial center but it can certainly be the fun, lively, and vibey part of the city where people want to go to after work.

Thanks for that great collection of picture! Joburg is truely one of my favorite places although many people do not understand or believe. I had the opportunity the opportunity to work in Joburg for several month in 2009 and really enjoyed it. I used to work in the CBD (Eloff Street) and just love that vibrant and diverse area. And the pictures here are showing that the CBD has even more improved since 2009. It exactly felt what Musiccity explained at the beginning of this thread: Joburg has a particular vibe!! I do not want to offend Cape Town, of course. It definately is more beautiful than Joburg but it is lacking its special vibe. It is truely the NYC of Africa. Hope to go there again soon in order to visit my friends there. :banana:
I remember a narrow pedestrian street connecting Ghandi Square with Carlton Centre. Can't remember its name but just before I left South Africa they started to refurbish it. The project considered turning it into a small restaurant/bar district or something like that. Do you have any information regarding that

tejas need help

pics

www.**********************************

i love this city

Good thread musiccity.

http://www.southafrica.net/sat/action/media/downloadFile?media_fileid=5065&a=299&s=303x220

In the not to distant future there has been a proposed project to deck the train tracks beneath Nelson Mandela Bridge.

Before
http://www.sahistory.org.za/sites/default/files/imagecache/gallery_preview/images/nelson_mandela_bridge.jpg

After
http://www.iolproperty.co.za/roller/news/resource/jhb_deck.jpg

Amazing pictures from Johannesburg. :cheers:

thanks for the nice updates...:okay: