Little Turret in a Big City

Tall buildings dominate the Joburg skyline. I visit and write about the city’s tallest buildings all the time – the Carlton Center, Ponte City, and the Hillbrow Tower are some of my favorites.

I love looking at the city from the tops of tall buildings. This Instagram was taken from the roof of the Lister Building, near Joubert Park.

However, Joburg has some lovely little buildings too. The Turret, on the corner of Marshall and Loveday Streets, is my favorite little building in town.

The Turret from above (bottom-left corner), dwarfed by the tall buildings downtown. I shot this Instagram from the roof of the Reef Hotel on Anderson Street.

Turret Instagram from street level.

The Turret is the cutest building in Jozi. It was built about 100 years ago and managed to remain standing, while the large complex of buildings that once surrounded it was torn down a few decades ago and became an ugly parking lot. Read more about the history of the Turret here and here.

See the little piece of roof, just under the dome, that used to connect the Turret to the buildings around it.

The Turret is now the headquarters for JoburgPlaces and the Joburg City Tourism Association. I go to the Turret often for meetings and I’ve become addicted to photographing it, both inside and out.

The Turret from across the road.

Inside. The Turret is three stories tall and has a beautiful spiral staircase.

Looking up inside the Turret.

Fish-eye Instagram of the Turret with a few members of the Joburg City Tourism Association outside.

I think the tiny buildings of Jozi need more love. If you know of any others, please pass along your suggestions.