Little Turret in a Big City

by | Jul 15, 2013 | Instagram, Johannesburg, Johannesburg City Centre, Museums and Buildings | 11 comments

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.

view from Lister

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.

skyline from Reef

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

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.

town view and turret

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.

Turret from street

The Turret from across the road.

vertical turret stairwell bw

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

turret looking up1

Looking up inside the Turret.

turret fish-eye

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.

11 Comments

  1. Madeleine

    I have a deep love for this city. Reading your posts and seeing your images here and on Instagram fill me with inspiration and appreciation. Thank you for you contribution to the Jozi love affair.

    Reply
    • 2summers

      Aw, thanks so much Madeleine. What a wonderful comment. I assume you’re @redmaddy?

      Reply
  2. Charles Visser

    Go for the good shit… and you are exceptional at it! Well done!

    Reply
  3. eremophila

    What a gorgeous little building! One piece of charm surrounded by the uglies!

    Reply
    • 2summers

      Yes, it’s a great hidden gem.

      Reply
  4. roetsuprooted

    So cute. I love it! And the staircase is marvelous. Do you know about the toilet in Newtown that was apparently built for the Queen (not sure which one) when she visited SA? It is soon to be dwarfed by the new shopping center currently under construction.

    Reply
    • 2summers

      Oh yes, I actually do know about that! That would make a good blog post. Thanks for the reminder.

      Reply
  5. Hayley

    Oh my hat, i drive past this every day, and its my favourite! had no idea what it was being used as.

    Reply
    • 2summers

      Haha! You should stop in sometime 🙂

      Reply
  6. Bibi Ayesha

    I love this! So glad it is still well-preserved.

    Reply

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