Quick Facts: Rosebank
- Rosebank is a thriving magnet for young professionals, tourists, artists and designers
- Many excellent shops, restaurants, cocktail bars and nightclubs can be found here
- Pedestrian-friendly streets boast a smorgasbord of attractions
- Johannesburg Zoo
- Rosebank African Market
- Rosebank Art Strip
- Rosebank Rooftop Market
- South African National Museum of Military History
- The Mall of Rosebank
- Zoo Lake
Distance to Airport: 26 km
Distance to City: 11 km
Introducing Rosebank
Rosebank is a thriving magnet for young professionals, tourists, artists and designers, who flock here for the excellent shops, restaurants, cocktail bars and nightclubs. Pedestrian-friendly streets boast a smorgasbord of attractions, from a bustling African Market to the highly acclaimed galleries lining Jan Smuts Avenue Art Strip. Not much further afield you will find Sandton City, Zoo Lake, Johannesburg Zoo and the South African National Museum of Military History.
It is hard to believe that cosmopolitan Rosebank was once a declining residential area. Even harder to believe that this compact, stylish built environment was once part of Rosemill Orchards Farm before being sectioned and sold off from 1896. In 1919, all the street names were changed to commemorate English towns and universities and First World War British admirals.
For many years, Rosebank remained a small village on the outskirts of Johannesburg with very little working in its favour. By 1945, however, serious development of the area began. A trolley-bus transport system was introduced (one of the first in Johannesburg), enabling the village to grow its retail and business districts. In 1976 The Mall of Rosebank was built, paving the way for a handful of other shopping areas such as The Firs, Rosebank Mews and The Zone @ Rosebank.
Getting there
To reach Rosebank from the airport, follow the R24 to Johannesburg. At Gillooly's Interchange, take the N3 northbound to Pretoria. At the Sandton Buccleuch Interchange, follow the M1 south and take the M20 Glenhove Road exit.