Carlton Centre is one of Johannesburg CBD’s most recognisable landmarks: a city-centre shopping destination, office tower and historic high-rise complex on Commissioner Street in Marshalltown. This page gives you a clear overview of what Carlton Centre is, why it matters, and where to go next if you want shops, restaurants, Top of Africa information, history, contact details or practical visitor guidance.
About Carlton Centre overview
Carlton Centre is commonly described as both a skyscraper and a shopping centre in downtown Johannesburg. South African History Online records the building as 223 metres high, with 50 levels, and identifies it as a major Johannesburg office building and shopping centre landmark.
For visitors, the important point is simple: Carlton Centre is not only a building people recognise from the Johannesburg skyline. It is also a practical CBD destination where people look for stores, food, services, directions, transport links, visitor information and nearby points of interest.
Because Carlton Centre has a long history and its current operations can change, this page separates historical context from practical visitor planning. Use it as a starting point, then move to the most relevant page for your next step: Carlton Centre, shops, restaurants, Top of Africa, Carlton Centre history or Carlton Centre hotel history.
What visitors or tenants need to know
If you are planning a visit, start by deciding what you need from Carlton Centre. Some people are looking for a specific shop. Others want somewhere to eat, a CBD meeting point, a Johannesburg landmark, a connection to Gandhi Square, or information about the Top of Africa viewing level.
The shopping centre side is best handled through the shops page, where visitors can browse store-related information before travelling. If you are planning lunch, a takeaway stop or a quick meal while in the CBD, use the restaurants page instead.
If your interest is the building itself, Carlton Centre should be understood as part of Johannesburg’s commercial and architectural history. South African Tourism describes the Top of Africa as being on the 50th floor of the 223m-high Carlton Centre and highlights the viewing-deck association with Johannesburg skyline views. Current access to Top of Africa should still be checked before visiting, because attraction information can change.
For tenants, brands, promoters or service providers, Carlton Centre may be relevant because of its Johannesburg CBD position and its mix of retail, office and visitor interest. Business or leasing enquiries should always be checked through the correct management or property contact route. Do not rely on old articles, assumptions or third-party listings for current rental availability, shop vacancies, activation permissions, pricing, deposits or contract terms.
Key facts and context
Key details
Carlton Centre is located in Johannesburg CBD, in the Marshalltown area, with public listings and tenant pages commonly identifying the address around 150 Commissioner Street. Clicks, for example, lists its Carlton Centre branch at Carlton Centre, 150 Commissioner Street, Marshalltown, Johannesburg.
The centre is often searched as “Carlton Centre Johannesburg shopping centre” because many people want to know whether it still functions as a mall. The answer is yes, Carlton Centre has a shopping centre component, but it is not only a mall. It is also associated with a major office tower, Johannesburg skyline history, the former Carlton Hotel and the Top of Africa attraction.
Ownership and redevelopment information should be handled carefully. BusinessDay reported in 2024 that Transnet had again abandoned a sale process for the Carlton Centre after bidders could not produce funds, and that Transnet had decided to refurbish the tower, revive retail and consider residential conversion for the hotel component. Because ownership, refurbishment, tenant mix and leasing plans can change, any final ownership statement should be verified against current official sources before publishing.
Carlton Centre is also connected to the former Carlton Hotel, a major part of the broader complex’s history. If you are looking for the story behind the building rather than current visitor planning, use Carlton Centre history and Carlton Centre hotel history for deeper background.
Top of Africa should be treated as a separate visitor-planning topic. Older tourism pages describe the viewing level and its panoramic Johannesburg views, but more recent visitor listings have reported the Roof of Africa or Top of Africa experience as closed since the start of the March 2020 lockdown. For that reason, visitors should check the dedicated Top of Africa page and current sources before making a special trip.
Related pages and next steps
Use this about page to understand Carlton Centre, then choose the page that matches what you need next.
Go to Carlton Centre for the main destination overview and the strongest route into visitor information.
Go to shops if you want to browse stores, services or shopping options before visiting.
Go to restaurants if you are looking for food, takeaways, lunch options or places to eat in and around the centre.
Go to Top of Africa if your main interest is the viewing level, attraction status, visitor access or skyline experience.
Go to Carlton Centre history if you want a broader historical overview of the building, its development and its place in Johannesburg.
Go to Carlton Centre hotel history if you specifically want to learn about the former Carlton Hotel and its role in the wider complex.
Helpful FAQs
What is Carlton Centre?
Carlton Centre is a Johannesburg CBD landmark that combines a shopping centre, office-tower context and historical significance. It is known both as a practical city-centre destination and as one of the most recognisable high-rise buildings in Johannesburg.
Is Carlton Centre a mall?
Yes, Carlton Centre includes a shopping centre component. However, it is more than a mall. It is also linked to an office tower, the Top of Africa viewing level, the former Carlton Hotel and Johannesburg CBD history.
Where is Carlton Centre?
Carlton Centre is in Johannesburg CBD, in the Marshalltown area, commonly associated with Commissioner Street. Before travelling, visitors should confirm the best entrance, route, parking option and transport connection for their specific visit.
Who owns Carlton Centre?
Public reporting has linked Carlton Centre to Transnet ownership and property processes. BusinessDay reported in 2024 that Transnet had abandoned a sale process and planned refurbishment instead. Because ownership and redevelopment details can change, confirm the current position with official sources before publishing legal, leasing or commercial statements.
Is Top of Africa the same as Carlton Centre?
No. Carlton Centre is the broader building and shopping centre destination. Top of Africa is the viewing-level attraction associated with the tower. Visitors should check the Top of Africa page for current attraction-specific information.
What should I check before visiting Carlton Centre?
Check current opening hours, store trading times, restaurant availability, parking, transport routes, contact details, security guidance and Top of Africa access before travelling. Individual tenants may keep their own trading hours, and operational details can change.
Contact or visit information
Carlton Centre information should be kept current because visitor details, tenant listings, trading hours, access points, attraction status, parking guidance and leasing availability can change. Avoid relying on older tourism articles or third-party listings as the final source for operational details.
For general planning, start with the main Carlton Centre hub. For shopping, use shops. For food and takeaway planning, use restaurants. For the viewing attraction, use Top of Africa. For deeper background, continue to Carlton Centre historyor Carlton Centre hotel history.
Explore Carlton Centre by choosing the page that matches your next step.