As of 2026, the Carlton Centre remains caught in a tug-of-war between its past glory and its future potential. There are ongoing discussions about converting portions of the massive office tower into affordable residential housing—a move that would reflect the broader “residentialization” of the inner city. It stands today not just as a skyscraper, but as a barometer for Johannesburg itself: a hulking, resilient giant that has survived economic crashes, political revolutions, and urban neglect, yet still offers the best view of where the city is going.
