Johannesburg CBD landmark · independent guide
Carlton Centre Johannesburg
Carlton Centre is the 50-storey tower and underground shopping mall at 150 Commissioner Street, Marshalltown, in the Johannesburg CBD. Use this guide to find shops and food outlets we have confirmed, plan how to get there, and read the building’s history.
Quick facts: 150 Commissioner Street, Marshalltown, Johannesburg · 223 m, 50 storeys · officially opened 1 September 1973 · owned by Transnet · Africa’s tallest building from 1973 until The Leonardo in Sandton overtook it in 2019.
Carlton Centre shops and stores
The shopping centre sits below and around the tower and is the busiest part of the complex today. Shoprite anchors the mall: its Carlton Centre store opened in December 2024 in the space Pick n Pay used to occupy. Brand store locators also list Clicks (with a pharmacy), PEP, Ackermans, Jet, Mr Price, Woolworths, Markham, Sterns, Sportscene, Capitec, Totalsports, Cash Crusaders, MTN, Webbers and Spitz at Carlton Centre.
Start with the Carlton Centre shops directory, which groups confirmed stores by category and links to individual store pages as they are published.
Restaurants and food
Most food at Carlton Centre is quick-service and takeaway. KFC, Steers, Debonairs Pizza, Fishaways, Nando’s, Hungry Lion, McDonald’s and Milky Lane all list a Carlton Centre outlet on their own store locators. See Carlton Centre restaurants for the full confirmed list and what each outlet is good for.
Plan your visit
Carlton Centre’s street address is 150 Commissioner Street, Marshalltown, and some store addresses also reference Kruis Street. Gandhi Square, Johannesburg’s main Metrobus terminus, is next to the centre, and Rea Vaya runs Carlton Centre Eastbound and Westbound stations.
No official centre-wide trading hours are published, so opening times depend on each store. Check Carlton Centre opening hours, directions to Carlton Centre, public transport to Carlton Centre and Carlton Centre parking before you travel.
Top of Africa
Top of Africa is the observation level on the 50th floor. Its current status is unclear: one visitor guide reports it closed at the start of the March 2020 lockdown, while older tourism listings still show opening hours. We have not found a current official statement, so treat access as unconfirmed and read Top of Africa before planning a visit around it.
Carlton Centre history and building facts
Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill with Rhodes-Harrison Hoffe & Partners, Carlton Centre was built between 1967 and 1974 and officially opened on 1 September 1973. The complex once included the Carlton Hotel, which closed in the late 1990s. Transnet bought the centre from Anglo American in 1999. Read the full Carlton Centre history or browse Carlton Centre photos.
Offices, services and leasing
The office tower was Transnet’s head office from around 2000 until staff moved to Midrand in 2018, and much of the tower has been quiet since. On 24 August 2026 Transnet put Carlton Centre up for sale alongside other non-core properties. Transnet Property still lists the building as its office address.
See Carlton Centre offices for the office tower, Carlton Centre services for practical services such as the CIPC self-service point, and Carlton Centre leasing for commercial enquiries.
Shops
Confirmed stores by category, from Shoprite and Clicks to fashion and cellphones.
Restaurants
Fast food and takeaway outlets confirmed at Carlton Centre.
Directions
Address, entrances and transport options.
History
From the 1960s build to the 2026 sale.
Nearby
Small Street Mall, Gandhi Square and nearby places.
Services
Practical services at or near the centre.
Carlton Centre FAQs
Where is Carlton Centre in Johannesburg?
Carlton Centre is at 150 Commissioner Street, Marshalltown, in the Johannesburg CBD, next to Gandhi Square.
What shops are at Carlton Centre?
Confirmed stores include Shoprite, Clicks, PEP, Ackermans, Jet, Mr Price, Woolworths, Markham, Sterns, Sportscene, Totalsports, Cash Crusaders, MTN, Capitec, Webbers and Spitz. See the Carlton Centre shops directory.
What are Carlton Centre opening hours?
No official centre-wide hours are published. Each store sets its own hours, so check the store before you go. For example, Shoprite announced Monday to Friday 08:00–20:00, Saturday 07:00–18:00 and Sunday 07:00–17:00 when it opened in December 2024.
How do I get to Carlton Centre?
Gandhi Square Metrobus terminus is next door and Rea Vaya has Carlton Centre stations. See directions to Carlton Centre for more.
Where to next?
Most visitors come for the shops and food. Start with the directory, then check the store page before you travel.
Last checked: 13 September 2026. CarltonCentre.co.za is an independent visitor guide. It is not operated by, or affiliated with, Transnet, Transnet Property, Carlton Centre management or the brands listed. Details were checked against the sources named on each page on 13 September 2026; confirm time-sensitive details with the store or organisation before you travel.