Gandhi Square & Arcades - Joburg’s undercover history

Johannesburg was once a ‘City of Arcades'. These glass-roofed walkways between buildings boasted exquisitely tiled floors, beautiful cast-iron work, and maximised retail space while sheltering shoppers from the dusty streets. While most of these Victorian and Edwardian structures were demolished in the rush to modernise the city, one gem has survived...

Hidden between Gandhi Square and Fox Street, Somerset House was used by the United Building Society to house safety deposit boxes. Then it was boarded up for years - hiding its checkerboard floors and green Art Nouveau tiles from public view. Today, thanks to Gerald Olitzki, the developer behind the revival of Gandhi Square, Somerset House is being beautifully restored.

Join JHF guide David Gurney on a marvellous walking tour that explores Gandhi Square and Somerset House to see this remarkable restoration in progress. We’ll also visit the locations of some of Joburg’s other long-gone arcades.

Please wear good walking shoes, bring a hat and plenty of drinking water. The meeting point is at the Gandhi statue in Gandhi Square.

As parking in the CBD is limited, we strongly recommend using a ride-hailing service.