How Did Johannesburg’s Leonardo Become South Africa’s Tallest Tower?

What happens when a skyscraper project puts women at the center of its architectural leadership? The Leonardo in Johannesburg not only transformed the city's skyline—it also became notable for the unusually large role played by women in leading its design and construction.

Discover how Johannesburg’s Leonardo became South Africa’s tallest skyscraper and broke industry barriers with a female-led architectural team.

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1. What is The Leonardo?

• The Leonardo is a supertall mixed-use skyscraper in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa.
• The tower rises approximately 768 feet (234 meters).
• With 55 stories, it became the tallest building in South Africa.
• The tower combines luxury residential spaces, offices, and public areas.
• Its location in Sandton places it in one of Johannesburg's most important business and financial districts.
• The building quickly became a major part of Johannesburg's modern skyline.

2. How Tall is The Leonardo?

• The Leonardo reaches approximately 234 meters into the sky.
• Its 55 floors pushed it above Johannesburg's previous height champion, the Carlton Centre.
• The Carlton Centre had dominated the city's skyline for roughly half a century.
• The Leonardo's completion therefore represented a major change in Johannesburg's architectural hierarchy.
• Its height also gave South Africa a new symbol of modern high-rise development.

3. Why was Its Architectural Team So Unusual?

• The project was designed by Co-Arc International Architects.
• One of the most notable aspects of the project was its leadership structure.
• The architectural team included an unusually high number of women in senior roles.
• According to the project account, 9 of the 11 lead architects overseeing the development were women.
• This was particularly significant because the construction and architectural industries have historically had strong gender imbalances.
• The project therefore attracted attention not only for its height but also for who was helping to lead its creation.

4. How Did Women Lead the Project?

• The female-led team was involved in managing important aspects of the project's development.
• Their responsibilities extended beyond producing architectural drawings.
• Senior architects had to coordinate with engineers, contractors, construction workers, consultants, and developers.
• Managing a supertall building requires constant coordination because a mistake or delay in one part of the project can affect many other teams.
• Having women in so many senior architectural positions challenged traditional expectations about leadership in large construction projects.
• The Leonardo consequently became an example of changing professional roles within the industry.

5. Who was the Young Architect Leading the Site?

• Malika Walele was among the project's notable architectural leaders.
• She was only 27 years old when she took on significant responsibility for day-to-day site operations.
• Her role required her to work directly with large construction teams and contractors.
• Managing a skyscraper construction site is a major responsibility regardless of age.
• The scale of the project meant coordinating thousands of people and numerous specialized construction activities.
• Her leadership became an important part of the story surrounding the tower.

6. How Did The Leonardo Break Johannesburg’s Height Record?

• Before The Leonardo, Johannesburg's Carlton Centre held the title of South Africa's tallest building.
• The Carlton Centre had remained the country's height champion for around 50 years.
• The Leonardo eventually surpassed it.
• At approximately 234 meters, the new tower dramatically changed Johannesburg's skyline.
• The achievement was more than a simple measurement.
• It represented a new generation of skyscraper development in South Africa.

7. What is Inside The Leonardo?

• The Leonardo is not simply an office skyscraper.
• It is a mixed-use development, meaning different types of spaces are combined within the same complex.
• Its functions include:
  • Luxury residential apartments.
  • Office space.
  • Public and commercial areas.
  • A substantial podium.
  • High-end penthouse accommodation.
• This mixture allows the building to function as a small vertical community rather than just a workplace.

8. How Luxurious is The Leonardo?

• The building was developed as an ultra-luxury property.
• Its apartments are designed for high-end residential living.
• One of its most impressive spaces is a three-story penthouse.
• The penthouse became notable as one of the most expensive sectional-title properties in South African history.
• The development reportedly represented an investment of around 2 billion rand, or approximately $140 million based on the figures associated with the project.
• Its luxury positioning helped establish The Leonardo as more than just a record-breaking skyscraper.

9. Why is The Leonardo Important Beyond Its Height?

• Architecture: It introduced a new supertall landmark to Johannesburg.
• Leadership: A predominantly female senior architectural team played a major role in the project.
• Young professionals: The project demonstrated that major construction leadership is not limited to older industry veterans.
• National record: It surpassed the Carlton Centre to become South Africa's tallest building.
• Mixed-use design: It combines homes, offices, public areas, and luxury facilities in one vertical development.
• Urban identity: Its presence strengthened Sandton's position as a major modern business and luxury district.

10. Final Thoughts

• The Leonardo is famous for being exceptionally tall, but its story goes beyond height.
• At approximately 234 meters, it became South Africa's tallest skyscraper and ended the Carlton Centre's decades-long reign.
• At the same time, its unusually strong female architectural leadership challenged traditional expectations in a male-dominated construction environment.
• The project demonstrates that building a supertall tower requires much more than steel, concrete, and glass—it requires leadership, coordination, engineering, and thousands of people working toward one enormous goal.
• In simple terms, The Leonardo changed Johannesburg's skyline while also showing how a new generation of architectural leaders could help shape the future of skyscraper construction.