This aerial photograph captures LXX Sandhurst, a contemporary luxury lifestyle and retail centre at 70 Rivonia Road in Sandhurst, Sandton, Johannesburg. Opened to the public on 25 July 2024, the development transformed the former IBM office campus into a modern, open-air destination combining retail, restaurants, cafés, beauty, wellness and convenience services. The name LXX comes from the Roman numerals for 70, directly referencing the development’s address. Developed by The Cavaleros Group, LXX Sandhurst occupies a prominent position within Sandton’s established commercial and residential landscape, with the aerial view showing the relationship between the new centre, Rivonia Road and the mature neighbourhood surrounding it.
The architect for LXX Sandhurst is Skyscape Architects, which worked with The Cavaleros Group to reimagine the existing 1990s-era IBM office building rather than demolishing and replacing it. The project is therefore an example of adaptive reuse, with the original commercial structure substantially re-engineered and modernised for a completely different use. The redevelopment introduced an additional floor above ground and two subterranean parking levels, while retaining the existing building as the foundation for the new lifestyle centre. The construction period for Phase 1 ran from December 2023 to July 2024, with the completed centre providing 309 parking bays across basement and on-grade areas.
Architecturally, LXX Sandhurst adopts a contemporary retail and lifestyle aesthetic, combining crisp geometric forms, extensive glazing, dark and light façade materials, landscaped areas and open pedestrian spaces. Rather than following the conventional enclosed shopping-mall model, the development is designed around an open-air, semi-al fresco experience. A central piazza forms an important component of the design, with restaurants and retail spaces arranged around landscaped pedestrian areas. This approach creates a more intimate environment suited to dining, leisure and social interaction while taking advantage of Johannesburg’s generally mild climate.
The aerial perspective clearly illustrates the contrast between the contemporary LXX complex and the established Sandhurst environment. Mature trees dominate much of the surrounding neighbourhood, with numerous purple-flowering jacarandas adding distinctive seasonal colour. Established residential and commercial properties are interspersed among dense vegetation, creating a green backdrop that contrasts strongly with the clean, modern architecture of the retail centre. The image also captures solar photovoltaic panels installed on several surrounding buildings, reflecting the increasing presence of renewable-energy infrastructure within Johannesburg’s commercial and residential properties.
Landscape architecture played an important role in establishing the centre’s identity. Changuion Landscape Design was responsible for the landscape architecture, incorporating a palette of green planting with purple and white accents intended to reinforce the project’s luxury character. Olive trees, dense screening vegetation and flowering plants were incorporated into the landscape design, helping to soften the architecture and integrate the development with its surroundings.
LXX Sandhurst has a distinctly mixed lifestyle and convenience-oriented building use. Its tenant mix includes restaurants, cafés, beauty and wellness businesses, specialist retail, grocery and everyday services. The centre has included businesses such as Checkers, Clicks, Tashas, Cowfish, Dough & Co, NUDO Hair Lab, Toast & Co, Pet Shop Science and other lifestyle-focused retailers. This combination allows the development to serve nearby residents, corporate employees and visitors to Sandton without attempting to compete directly with the scale of major regional shopping centres.
The location is particularly significant because 70 Rivonia Road sits within one of Johannesburg’s most important business districts, close to major corporate headquarters and the Sandton CBD. Rivonia Road provides a major connection through the area, while the surrounding mature neighbourhood gives LXX Sandhurst a distinctive suburban setting despite its proximity to the high-rise commercial core. The aerial photograph therefore documents not only a contemporary retail development but also the continuing evolution of Sandton, where older office properties are increasingly being adapted into new commercial and lifestyle destinations.
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