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Carlton Centre Photos

Photos of Carlton Centre: the 223-metre tower from the street, the retail podium, skyline views from the top, and historic images from 1973 and 1988. All are freely licensed from Wikimedia Commons and credited below.

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Carlton Centre exterior photos

Carlton Centre tower seen from street level
Looking up the 50-storey Carlton Centre tower from street level (2013). Photo: Thuvack, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
The Carlton Centre tower in 2017
The Carlton Centre tower in 2017. Photo: flowcomm, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

From street level the tower is a plain, dark, 50-storey block, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. It still dominates the eastern CBD skyline. See directions to Carlton Centre to see it for yourself.

Inside Carlton Centre

We haven’t found freely licensed, recent photos of the mall interior that we can publish. Inside, Carlton Centre is a mainly underground shopping centre with national chain stores, Shoprite as anchor, and fast-food outlets. Browse the Carlton Centre shops directory and Carlton Centre restaurants to see what is trading inside.

Shopping centre photos

Carlton Centre tower above the retail podium with shop signs
The tower, with Transnet signage at the top, above the retail podium with store and bank signs (2013). Photo: Thuvack, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Carlton Centre tower rising behind Gandhi Square at sunrise
Sunrise over Gandhi Square, with the Carlton Centre tower behind the bus shelters (2015). Photo: Tamaryn-Shepherd, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Tower and skyline views

View over Johannesburg's inner city from the Carlton Centre
Johannesburg’s inner city and eastern suburbs seen from the Carlton Centre (2015). Photo: JTeessen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
View north from the Top of Africa deck towards Ponte City
Looking north from the Top of Africa deck towards Ponte City and Hillbrow (2010). Photo: Jorge Láscar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Johannesburg inner city at dusk seen from the Carlton Centre
Johannesburg’s inner city lit up at dusk, seen from the Carlton Centre (2015). Photo: Andrew Moore, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

These views were taken from the top of the building before the Top of Africa deck was reported closed in March 2020.

Historic Carlton Centre images

The newly completed Carlton Centre tower in 1973
Street-level view up the newly completed Carlton Centre tower in 1973. Photo: Hmvh, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Flags at the base of the Carlton Hotel in 1973
Flags at the base of the Carlton Hotel in 1973, with the Carlton Exhibition Centre behind. Photo: Hmvh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Johannesburg CBD skyline including the Carlton Centre in 1988
The Johannesburg CBD skyline, including the Carlton Centre, seen from the Hillbrow Tower in 1988. Photo: Hmvh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

For the full story behind these images, read the Carlton Centre history.

Photo FAQs

What does Carlton Centre look like inside?

Carlton Centre is mainly an underground shopping mall with chain stores, a Shoprite supermarket and fast-food outlets. We don’t yet have licensed interior photos. See the shops directory for what is inside.

Can I see photos of the Carlton Centre tower?

Yes. This page includes street-level and skyline photos of the tower from 2013, 2015 and 2017.

Are historic Carlton Centre photos available?

Yes. Wikimedia Commons has photos from 1973, when the tower was newly completed and the Carlton Hotel was open, and a 1988 skyline view, shown above.

Photo licences: each image is credited to its author with a link to its licence. Images licensed CC BY-SA may be reused under the same licence.

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.