The Johannesburg Stock Exchange, which now sits in the heart of Sandton, had its roots in the Johannesburg Central Business District for more than 100 years.
The stock exchange was originally founded at Simmonds Street by Benjamin Wollan on 8 November 1887. Wollan’s company, Johannesburg Chambers and Company, was the first to be listed on the exchange.
The stock exchange was started just after gold was discovered in Johannesburg to facilitate the explosion of trade. The JSE is currently the oldest and largest stock exchange on the continent.
Since its inception, the stock exchange has had six buildings, five of which were all within a few kilometres of each other in central Johannesburg. The move to Sandton marks the stock exchange’s furthest move and sets itself firmly in a new business district in Johannesburg.
The first stock exchange building was designed by Fred Holman in 1887 and the second stock exchange building replaced the original and was designed with an impressive façade and a large trading hall.
In 1904, the stock exchange found its new home on Hollard Street. This building was larger and had more features than the previous two.
Fifty-four years later, the building was demolished for a new stock exchange building at the same site, which was even grander than the last.
The new building was home to the stock exchange for just 17 years before it moved once again to Diagonal Street. It was designed by Monty Sack and was one of the first atrium buildings in Johannesburg. At the time, it was believed that the stock exchange would be based at this building for more than 50 years, it lasted just over 20 before it made its most recent relocation to Sandton.
The stock exchange has remained at its current position on Gwen Lane for almost 20 years. It was designed by TPC Architects and is now in the hub of the business district in Sandton.
