Iconic Johannesburg skyscraper up for sale

Ponte City, a landmark of Johannesburg CBD’s skyline, is up for sale through private tender.

Ponte City was Africa’s first cylindrical skyscraper and has been a focal point of Johannesburg’s skyline for the past 50 years.

The 173m tower was designed by architects Mannie Feldman, Manfred Hermer and Rodney Grosskopf and was the continent’s tallest residential apartment building for 48 years.

The property has a storied history and was previously an address for the wealthy of South Africa’s richest city.

“This legendary high-rise building, topped with South Africa’s most desirable outdoor advertising space, has ridden the highs and lows of the property market over the decades as Berea’s fortunes changed.”

“It remains a one-of-a-kind and once-in-a-lifetime asset which is an integral part of Johannesburg’s skyline,” said Norman Raad, CEO of Broll Auctions and Sales.

“Ponte is the epitome of true urban grit, having weathered the highs and lows of the evolving urban and economic landscapes that shape our country,” Raad added.

Located on the edge of the now troubled Hillbrow, the area was once home to a cosmopolitan mix of writers and intellectuals, where interracial mixing saw Apartheid laws flouted.

Ponte’s unique design includes a famed hollow interior, which resulted from regulations that both kitchens and bathrooms required light and ventilation.

At the time, the City of Johannesburg favoured taller, slimmer buildings which allowed sunlight and occupied less space.

The building’s unique architecture has resulted in it being one of South Africa’s most recognisable and photographed buildings.

Amid urban decay in Johannesburg’s CBD, the building was occupied by gangs, which saw crime in the tower skyrocket.

Ponte’s fortunes changed in the early 2000s when it was purchased by a property group that refurbished its more than 480 apartments over 54 stories.

“Today, the rental-only property, which includes penthouse, bachelor, studio, one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, is tenanted above 70%, and is home to people from across the continent who enjoy living safely within its confines,” Raad said.

The property also has 570 parking bays and is zoned Business 1. Retail stores on the bottom floor also offer convenience for tenants and passing traffic.

Ponte is a cultural icon and has been featured in several movies, including District 9, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, a Drake music video, art exhibitions, books and a TV series.

“This historic building, which has been home to people from all walks of life, is now awaiting an investment group or developer to take it into its next chapter,” said Broll.

The private tender is set to close on April 10, 2025.