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11 Diagonal Street

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Landmark
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11 Diagonal Street (South Africa)

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11 Diagonal Street is a striking 80-meter tall skyscraper located in the central business district of Johannesburg, South Africa. Designed by the renowned architect Helmut Jahn and completed in 1984, the building is famous for its unique shape that resembles a cut diamond. Its exterior is entirely clad in reflective glass, which was intended to mirror the surrounding historic buildings and the evolving urban landscape. The structure consists of 22 floors and was originally commissioned for the Anglo American Property Services. Its innovative design stood out during the 1980s as a symbol of modernism in the city's architectural profile. Today, it remains one of the most recognizable landmarks in Johannesburg due to its geometric precision and aesthetic brilliance. The building's glass facade creates a dynamic visual effect, changing its appearance throughout the day as the sunlight shifts.

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Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Sep, Oct.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C222120171310101317202121
Rain mm12382734316737165789127

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
The building is an office skyscraper, so its interior is usually not open to the public. You can admire the distinctive diamond shape from the outside at any time and walk around the structure.
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Typical hours
As it is an office building, there are no set visiting hours for tourists. The exterior view is accessible 24/7, with the best light during daytime.
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Photography
Photography from the outside is allowed at any time and is very rewarding, especially when the sun makes the glass facade sparkle. For the best shot, position yourself diagonally across to capture the diamond-like shape.
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Time needed
Allow about 15 to 20 minutes for a walk around the building and taking some photos. If you also want to explore the surrounding downtown architecture, budget half an hour.
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Combine with
Combine the visit with a walk to nearby Carltonville or Gandhi Square. The historic Maboneng district is also a short walk away and provides many cafés.
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Getting there
The building is located in Johannesburg's central business district and is easily reached by taxi or minibus taxi. It is about a 10-minute walk from Johannesburg Park Station.
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Insider tip
Visit the building in the late afternoon when the low sun bathes the facade in golden light. Watch for the reflection of surrounding skyscrapers in the glass facade for unique photos.

Geography

Coordinates
-26.20450, 28.04010

Facts

  • Completed in 1984.
  • Height: 80 meters.
  • 22 floors.
  • Designed by Helmut Jahn.
  • Built for Anglo American Property Services.
  • Shape: Cut diamond.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

JohannesburgJohannesburg<1 km · EExplore →
Nelson Mandela BridgeNelson Mandela Bridge1 km · NWExplore →
Hillbrow TowerHillbrow Tower2 km · NEExplore →
Sentech TowerSentech Tower4 km · WExplore →
Gold Reef City Amusement ParkGold Reef City Amusement Park4 km · SWExplore →
FNB StadiumFNB Stadium7 km · SWExplore →
Walter Sisulu Botanical GardensWalter Sisulu Botanical Gardens7 km · NWExplore →
Alice Lane TowersAlice Lane Towers11 km · NExplore →

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Sights in the town 11 Diagonal Street (8)

langlaagte stamp battery📍 landmark

This historical mining artifact preserves a heavy mechanical stamp mill used to crush gold-bearing ore during the early Witwatersrand gold rush.

Mining District🏺 historical

This outdoor pedestrian area in downtown Johannesburg functions as a sprawling museum, showcasing vintage mining headgears and heritage displays.

World Of Beer📍 landmark

Located in the Newtown cultural precinct, this former brewery museum features interactive exhibits on the brewing history of South African beer.

Gauteng Opera🎭 culture

Dedicated to the performing arts, this prominent theatrical venue in Johannesburg brings classical vocal performances and contemporary opera to the stage.

The Turbine Hall📍 landmark

Once a 1920s power station, this striking industrial-chic building has been beautifully restored into a premier events and exhibitions venue.

Johannesburg City Hall🏺 historical

Featuring a distinctive clock tower, this monumental Edwardian building was completed in 1914 and is home to the largest pipe organ in the Southern Hemisphere.

Beyers Naudé Square🌳 park

Named in honor of a prominent anti-apartheid cleric, this historic public plaza is a central civic gathering space flanked by historic city buildings.

Workers Museum🏛 museum

Housed in an original 1913 migrant labor compound, this museum movingly documents the harsh living conditions of Johannesburg's early black municipal workers.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is special about 11 Diagonal Street?
It is an architecturally unique mirrored building in Johannesburg.
Can you visit the building?
It primarily serves as an office building and is to be admired from the outside.
Is it a historic building?
It is rather a modern landmark from the late 1980s.
Why is it called that?
Because of its prominent address on Diagonal Street in Johannesburg.
How long for a photo stop?
About 10 minutes is more than enough.
11 Diagonal Street: where is it located?
11 Diagonal Street is located in South Africa.
11 Diagonal Street: what is there to see?
Highlights include langlaagte stamp battery, Mining District, World Of Beer.
11 Diagonal Street: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Sep, Oct.
11 Diagonal Street: why is it worth visiting?
11 Diagonal Street is a striking 80-meter tall skyscraper located in the central business district of Johannesburg, South Africa.
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Nearby cities

Johannesburg — 11 Diagonal Street (South Africa)
Johannesburg
The country's largest city emerged during a gold rush and is today the economic hub of Africa.
Pretoria — 11 Diagonal Street (South Africa)
Pretoria
The executive capital of the country is famous for the thousands of Jacaranda trees that bloom purple in spring.

History & landmarks

Ponte City — 11 Diagonal Street (South Africa)
Ponte City
A cylindrical skyscraper in Johannesburg and the tallest residential building in Africa.
Pretoria City Hall — 11 Diagonal Street (South Africa)
Pretoria City Hall
A monumental historical building in Pretoria featuring a large clock tower and 32 bells.
Soweto — 11 Diagonal Street (South Africa)
Soweto
A historic township on the outskirts of Johannesburg, Soweto is the vibrant heart of South African history and culture.
Carlton Centre — 11 Diagonal Street (South Africa)
Carlton Centre
A skyscraper and shopping center that was the tallest building in Africa for decades.
Nelson Mandela Bridge — 11 Diagonal Street (South Africa)
Nelson Mandela Bridge
A striking cable-stayed bridge linking the central business district of Johannesburg with Braamfontein.
Hillbrow Tower — 11 Diagonal Street (South Africa)
Hillbrow Tower
A tall telecommunications tower dominating the skyline of Johannesburg.
Sentech Tower — 11 Diagonal Street (South Africa)
Sentech Tower
A 237-meter-tall television and radio broadcasting tower in Johannesburg.
FNB Stadium — 11 Diagonal Street (South Africa)
FNB Stadium
The largest stadium in Africa and venue for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final.

More places

Constitution Hill — 11 Diagonal Street (South Africa)
Constitution Hill
Constitution Hill in Johannesburg is a former prison complex that is now the seat of the Constitutional Court of South Africa.
Apartheid Museum Complex — 11 Diagonal Street (South Africa)
Apartheid Museum Complex
The complex illustrates 20th century South African history, showing the rise and fall of the state-sponsored racial apartheid system.
Hector Pieterson Memorial — 11 Diagonal Street (South Africa)
Hector Pieterson Memorial
The memorial honors the young student Hector Pieterson and the students who died during the 1976 Soweto Uprising.
Sterkfontein Caves — 11 Diagonal Street (South Africa)
Sterkfontein Caves
The Sterkfontein Caves, part of the Cradle of Humankind, are globally renowned for their rich fossil finds, particularly of early hominids.
🗺️
South Deep Gold Mine
One of the largest gold mines globally by reserves, utilizing highly mechanized mining techniques.
Cradle of Humankind — 11 Diagonal Street (South Africa)
Cradle of Humankind
The Cradle of Humankind is a World Heritage site housing some of the oldest hominid fossils in the world.
Voortrekker Monument — 11 Diagonal Street (South Africa)
Voortrekker Monument
The Voortrekker Monument is a massive granite structure in Pretoria commemorating the Boer pioneers who left the Cape Colony.
Church Square — 11 Diagonal Street (South Africa)
Church Square
Church Square is the historic center of the city of Pretoria, surrounded by significant architectural buildings from the late 19th century.