Pretoria Skyscrapers

Posted in Sightseeing | Tourism | Tourist Attractions

The Johannesburg-Pretoria combined metropolitan area has the highest concentration of skyscrapers in Africa and is said to be among the densest in the world. In Pretoria there are more than 5 buildings taller than 100 metres and the South African Reserve Bank is among the top ten tallest buildings in South Africa.

Pictures by Charl Steenkamp

Here’s a list of Pretoria’s tallest skyscrapers:

South African Reserve Bank Building: 38 floors, height 150 m
ABSA Building: 38 floors, height 132 m
Kruger Park Building: 33 floors, height 119 m (estimated)
Civitas Building: 31 floors, height 112 m
Agricultural Union Centre: 30 floors, height 110 m
Poyntons Building: 30 floors, height 110 m
National Treasury Building: 29 floors, height 105 m
Saambou Building: 30 floors, height 102 m

The South African Reserve Bank, 150 metres tall with 38 floors, is 73 metres shorter than the highest building in Africa, the Carlton Cetnre, and is Pretoria’s tallest building. By the time of its construction in 1986, the building was the only flush-glazed glass tower block in the Southern Hemisphere.

Situated in 370 Helen Joseph Street in Pretoria CBD, the building was built using 80 000 cubic metres of concrete, is 38 floors high and is clearly visible from the surrounding city streets, particularly at night.

The ABSA Building in 230 Lilian Ngoyi Street (old Van Der Walt Street) in Pretoria Central is the second tallest and perhaps the most recognisable skyscraper in Pretoria. Standing 132 metres tall, construction of the building ended in 1976 and was recently renovated.

The Kruger Park Building, located at 30 Madiba Drive, is currently vacant and falls within vicinity the City of Tshwane’s West Capital Project. The Project plans to be a mixed-use development consisting of residential accommodation with a student village, retail and commercial components, inner-city housing and health care facilities.

The Agricultural Union Centre has 26 floors and stands at a height of 110 metres.. Built of glass, steel and concrete – the building was finished in 1968 and situated on the corner of Thabo Sehume and Francis Baard Streets in Pretoria CBD.

The Civitas Building, renovated in 2008, is the principal government offices in Pretoria housing the Department of Health. With 31 floors and its beautiful greenish glass facade this building is a prominent sight on the Pretoria skyline. It is located at 242 Struben Street.

Located on the corner of Church Square, on 179 WF Nkomo Street, the Poyntons Building serves as the headquarters of the Department of Housing Building as well as many private businesses.

The National Treasury Building at 240 Madiba Drive is home to various offices of the South African National Treasury. The building is 29-stories tall, and is recognizable by the two concrete stripes running vertically down the center of each side.

Situated at 227 Thabo Sehume Street, the Saambou Building, formerly called the Gresham Building, is 102 meters tall and home to the Gauteng Licensing Department. The building has a rich history, having served as a bank and a hospital.