Still hanging on in the heart of Joburg
JOBURG – Do you know about the building that 'hangs' in Joburg?
A hanging building is not something often heard of, but Johannesburg took on the challenge in its heydey – a landmark that still stands today.
The Hanging Building is situated at 78 Fox Street, at the corner of Simmonds Street and it came to life in Johannesburg city more than 50 years ago.
The Gauteng blog explains that the Hanging Building was constructed from the top downwards.
Not literally hanging, the building was started from the inside concrete core of the structure and built outwards, with the floors ‘hanging’ off the core of the building.
According to The Heritage Portal, the 27-storey building was commissioned by Standard Bank in the late 60s and it was designed by German architect, Prof. Helmut Hentrich. The impressive new office block took almost three years to complete, with the first part of the building taking form in July 1967 and the building officially being opened for use by office staff in April 1970.
According to Letitia Myburgh of The Heritage Portal, “The building was not only a landmark in the skyline of Johannesburg but also a dynamic symbol of all that Standard Bank stood for.”
The entire building consists of the 27 office floors, four ‘tower’ floors, three mechanical service floors and five basement floors. From ground level to summit the building stands at 139.60m high and from base to summit, it measures 159.72m. The area of each office floor measures 804m².”
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The building is still standing at 78 Fox Street, but Standard Bank moved premises in 1990. It now houses the Gauteng Provincial Government.
Details: www.gauteng.net; theheritageportal.co.za
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