One of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world (according to Forbes magazine), Maboneng is a golden child amongst Joburg’s regeneration stories and was transformed from an industrial and factory district to a buzzing lifestyle playground. To visit Maboneng is to get a glimpse into what makes Johannesburg one of the most diverse and exciting cities to see in the world. Here are some amazing things to do when visiting this neighbourhood.
Arts on Main
It all began with Arts on Main. As the name suggests, the most popular area within Maboneng is a creative hub of galleries, artist studios, shops, office spaces and a buzzing Sunday market named Market on Main. Similar to other hipster spots worldwide, Arts on Main is a product of upcycling – transforming and renovating former industrial buildings and historic warehouses into contemporary spaces.
Main Street Life
Main Street Life was formerly a 1970s light industrial building that has since transformed into a contemporary mixed-use complex. Along with retail stores and restaurants, Main Street Life also houses residential apartments, co-working spaces and an art hotel. The building is divided into various creative disciplines, with each floor tied to either design, film, fashion, visual arts or architecture. Each floor showcases temporary exhibits within its discipline.
David Krut Bookstore
David Krut, with locations in Maboneng and Rosebank, is the best place in town to find South African art and travel books, as well as prints by high-profile South African artists. It’s a great place to browse while supporting local artists and authors.
Maboneng Tours
One of the best ways to see and get the most out of Maboneng is to join a tour. The most popular of which is the Maboneng walking tour. This two-hour tour will take you through some of the most important architectural sites as well as through galleries and street art. You’ll even get to visit some Sangomas (traditional healers).
Maboneng’s main high street is Fox Street, home to the pioneer development Arts on Main and an eclectic selection of dozens of bars, cafes and restaurants. While in its early days the neighbourhood’s focus was squarely on the arts, Maboneng has now become a major nightlife hotspot and on Saturdays, especially, the streets are thronged with a young party crowd.
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