http://amethyst.co.za/JhbLandmarks/Skyscrapers/MichelangeloTowers8.jpg

NAME: Michelangelo Towers
LOCATION: Sandton
STATUS: Under Construction
FLOORS: 34F
HEIGHT:140 meters
USE: Residential Tower

Here are some recent pics of the Michelangelo Tower.

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/5264/domeview15we.th.jpg (http://img26.imageshack.us/my.php?image=domeview15we.jpg)

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/2847/base1photo9jj.th.jpg (http://img189.imageshack.us/my.php?image=base1photo9jj.jpg)

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/6714/aerial37za.th.jpg (http://img188.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aerial37za.jpg)

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/3768/facade1rp.th.jpg (http://img26.imageshack.us/my.php?image=facade1rp.jpg)

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/5314/saucer3d10gf.th.jpg (http://img26.imageshack.us/my.php?image=saucer3d10gf.jpg)

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/8765/saucer21ye.th.jpg (http://img26.imageshack.us/my.php?image=saucer21ye.jpg)

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/7306/bridge0df.th.jpg (http://img26.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bridge0df.jpg)

Thanks to Pieter Van Classen for this post

Damn I love this tower!! It has a Chicago look!

they the need to make the surrounding area pedestrianised!!!!!!!!

street cafes, shops that lead to the sidewalk! it cant claim to be a cbd, if it is all internalised office parks/buildings. it needs to be rejuvenated

they can't exactly pedestrianise it in that way coz its kinda part of the Square, which has shops and stuff leading out to the outdoors withIN the Square.... but the area sure doesn't need any rejuvenation. hell, its probably the best looked-after streets in the whole country!

Waltjie is right about the fact that there is no rejuvenation to be done, and the Michelangelo is probably the closest thing to a pedestrianised building that the Sandton CBD has got in awhile.

However, yes, there needs to be ALOT of pedestrianising in coming years, or the fate of Johannesburg's CBD's is partially sealed. I'm sure this pedestrianising (feel like I am spelling that wrong) will come in time, but at the moment, I can't help but hate Sandton Central, regardless of its cleanliness and general tidy look.

wow we agree on something!! This is response is long, but please read it :)

Sandton maybe the home to the countries top companies and top international stores, but as a focal point it is very weak. Instead of being a city like it proclaims to be, it is merely a high rise office park. How many people actually walk the streets? dine on the street, shop on the street?

As Waltjie said, why do it when Sandton Square and Sandton City are around the corner? Those are existing investments that arent going to go away. They follow the mindset that joburg as a city has embraced, that of internalising everything, restricting access and hence protecting oneself. It is evident in the booming of suburbs, the proliferation of malls and lack of a substantial urban framework in the true sense of the word.

To encourage change is hard. I remember when Cape Town and Durban started to follow mixed use principles, that developers in Joburg refused to follow suit, for they said that that is not what people there want. So new areas grew and developed, deviod of a central soul. The sprawl that is Fourways could have been the shining light for the new north, instead it has townhouse complex after townhouse complex.

The Michelangelo and future urban developments in Sandton Central should be trying to alter the present situation. But from the plans it doesnt look like they will. The new apartment blocks (althought they look good) are tucked behind huge walls and deviod of any mixed use elements.

Some people say that these new buildings are a change in the way developers act in Joburg, but i totally disagree. If you think about these high rise apartments, what actually differs from the normal townhouse that goes up in Joburg? Both are behind walls and electric fencing. Both arent mixed use. Both require the occupants to get into their cars and drive to do everything...even thought u are in the middle of the Sandton CBD!!! You shouldnt have to get in a car at all!

It is on this front that i see massive problems starting to grow in Joburg. Cape Town and Durban are fully embracing mixed use, and basically all developments going up in these cities are of this format. This will lead to fully integrated urban environments in the years ahead. The only place this is sort of happening is in Newtown in Jozi. But the majority of people will still stay in the ever growing north. And the symbol of the north (Sandton), displays none of the design elements that make successful cities internationally

everything you say is sooo true. Sandton CBD might be 'where the money is' and sure is 'the richest square mile' on the continent, but it is such a boring place. i mean, walking outside on the streets don't offer you much to see at all. all there is really are these huge office blocks and that's IT. even if you work 1 or 2 streets down from Sandton City for example, you will still need to drive there to go and have lunch let's say, coz the only way you can really access the freakin place is by doing so from the parking garages. it is so stupid. hopefully we will get more Melrose Arch-type developments. @Joburg, have you maybe been to the new Athlone Square in Sandton?

The interesting part is how in the Johannesburg CBD they are embracing new urbanist principles and putting restaurants and shops at the bottom of all the new projects, and doing the opposite of waht the Sandton CBD is... it'll take awhile before these ground-floor outward-facing businesses do well, but they are good for the city.

I am very impressed with some Johannesburg developers' ideas in this regard.

I had issues when I lived in Sandton many years ago as it felt disconnected from its self, Waltjie is correct when he says if you work 2 blocks from SC you have top drive there. Another problem is the topography of the area, I mean Sandton is built on the side of a hill so pedestrinisation is not so easy.

Can anyone post any updated shots of this thing? Joburg, do you have any? It's about time we see this baby completed!

Anyways, the next phase of the project has been launched- the lowrise portion...

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http://www.michelangelotowers.co.za/images/raphael_logo.jpg

THE RAPHAEL PENTHOUSE SUITES
The Art of Fine Living on Nelson Mandela Square

Africa’s own 21st century Raphael, in the guise of The Developer Legacy Group, has embarked on another venture into the realms of Fine Living, “The Raphael Penthouse Suites.” If you are ever at Nelson Mandela Square late at night or very early in the morning you’ll probably hear the muffled noises of a builder trying to be discrete while erecting the scaffolding and poring the concrete that will soon become, together with the Michelangelo towers, Sandton’s leading residential address.

Sandton has become synonymous with exclusivity and is the premiere business, retail and residential address in South Africa. The Raphael’s luxurious penthouse suites on Nelson Mandela Square promise the ultimate in designer and convenience lifestyle.

Unparalleled Design Features
The Raphael’s penthouse suites offer from one-bedroom apartment suites to 500 square meter luxury penthouses. The splendor is unrivalled: indoor courtyards, splash pools and terraces overlooking the bustling Nelson Mandela Square. A private gymnasium, heated pool, roof garden, secure parking and a dedicated concierge are but a few of the standard features of this unique development: the ultimate in private and secure extravagance.



Life’s little luxuries on your doorstep
Situated above the South Wing and overlooking vibrant Nelson Mandela Square, the Raphael Penthouse Suites enjoy prime position in the heart of Sandton’s business district. This combined with the convenience of easy access to South Africa’s greatest shopping experience, restaurants, hotels and the Square itself; make the Raphael the country’s premier address.



Opulent living within reach
The Legacy Group takes immense pride in launching this superb investment opportunity to the discerning buyer. Selling off plan are 52 north facing executive suites. Prices range from R1.5 million upward. Construction has commenced and completion is guaranteed within twelve months.

Newest Rendering:

http://www.michelangelotowers.co.za/images/legacy_corner.jpg
Legacy Corner

I really like the whole Michealangelou developments.......it may not be the most original...but its still very attractive.....and a good incentive for Joburg developers.

Recen photo's of the completed Michelangelo.. Don't mean to bump the thread but it was looking a bit barren..



http://imghost.co.za/display.php?f=208

http://imghost.co.za/display.php?f=209

welcome mate, introduce yourself in the intro thread and I must say that she is growing on me quite a bit now. Any chance from someone of a full length shot of her?

hehe will do.. Yes she is quite a beautiful building, I was fortunate enuff to go to the top penthouse of this development, and had some awesome photos of Sandton from the 35th floor on my cellie. Unfortunately the phone got stolen a week ago, and didnt get the pics on my pc :(

Oh well hoping to get up there again, and will def take some more pics, the views really are awesome! Will try get some full-length foto's up, actually saw some guy today talking some photos of the building on a tripod... Any suspects here?

Did you take those photos Inertia? They're really nice! The blue sky contrasts really well with the sandy brown of the building.

sandton is not that bad. and you can enter the the square by foot via an entrance next to the michelangelo hotel (not via a car park). I work in right next door to this development and walk along to maude street often for lunch at the bull run and it is so clean and nice (altho crossing the main 4 way junction next to our offices is crazy!!)

It's gorgeous, and it's definitely grown on me. It reminds me of a shnazzy condo or two going up in Toronto's ritzy Yorkville area.

I am glad to hear from mike2005 that it seems a bit more pedestrianised than the other Sandton developments. It's definitely been an exciting development, even though it's off in suburban Sandton ;)

When is occupation? Any retailers there yet? I'd love to see this one @ night.

I love Michaelangelo's architecture. It's great.

Looking good, thanx for the snaps Inertia, if you have any pics of any projects feel free to post them, we dont care if you bump!

This building is really look cool, will deff stop there when I make my annual pilgrimage at the end of the year.

could I get some really nice pics for all the sandton towers (sandton city office tower, the 2 intercon hotel towers etc) for emporis as the ones I have could use an update

Those photo's are actually from the Michelangelo's site, so no credit due for me. I will try though over the w/e to get some photo's of the building and surrounding area up...

Btw, there are MANY office and residential developments going up in the Sandton area, i will try my best to get details and post it here. There is one particular redevelopment of old office blocks next to the Bowman & Gilfillan headquarters, looks really cool. Will try and get more info. later

How can anyone look at those photos and not admit that it really is a beautiful building..its form, its color its impact.......so even if it isnt the most original..it is still a beautiful building.

Those photo's are actually from the Michelangelo's site, so no credit due for me. I will try though over the w/e to get some photo's of the building and surrounding area up...

Btw, there are MANY office and residential developments going up in the Sandton area, i will try my best to get details and post it here. There is one particular redevelopment of old office blocks next to the Bowman & Gilfillan headquarters, looks really cool. Will try and get more info. later

Guys I need to have the correct copyright for pictures on emporis so I really need forumers to take some snaps when they are around and about and Ill use them

looks like theyve changed the lighting of the building at night - so the dome doesnt like like a circus top tent...

oh thank goodness!

oh man I liked the funky odd colour dome, they got as brilliant restaurant in here, Bhukara, ate at the one in Petronas Towers, not the same as this one.

durbsboi, the funky neon colour dome circus tent is back

unfortunately...

I bet they did that just to piss us off! We the people with taste!
Lights should mirror the design of the building. Make them all grandeur, understated and powerful. Not this circus tent-mutiple colour crap-its not a theme park!

lol, I control thier minds, Moohahahaha.

just kidding, why dont they put nice Vega spots, maybe with a cool white, or maybe bright white to illuminate of the dome, that would look really cool, then have bigger spots at the bottom of each corner shooting upwards to illuminate the corners of the building, like something out of Gotham!

yeah cast light onto the structure, dont let the lights "be" the structure