I had to go shopping in Sandton recently, the commercial and business hub of Johannesburg, and dubbed "Africa's richest square mile" though I think it's bigger than that now. Fifty years ago this area was all horse trails and smallholdings... Sandton City mall and office complex was built 37 years ago (dwarfed now by new developments) and currently there are 32 new buildings planned and under construction. The 'Twin Towers', only 30 years old are about to be demolished and rebuilt!
I did the top two sketches from the Sandton City parking garage across the road - the Standard Bank building that had been there a week before Christmas was gone and cranes and building piles in its place. The following day I went to the industrial area of Wynberg (two shopping trips in two days, wow!) and saw this great view of the Sandton skyline from the warehouse parking lot - the top building that I sketched the day before is on the far left of the panorama.
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7 comments:
In only 5 years! Incredible.
Great sketches ... I love the construction equipment; cranes make good design elements!
You are recording history. Love the sketches and the information too.
Hi Laura - well, 50 years...though in 5 years I'm sure the development has doubled, still incredible!
Thanks Polly - I did feel I needed to go there and record a bit of what is happening! :)
A real construction boom going on there! And you've captured the energy of it so well. Thanks for sharing!
I like your idea of shopping! Great paintings.
WOW! Love your cityscapes. The cranes are great!!!
Wow! This is great! It really shows Joburg's dynamic and ever changing side! Well done!
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