“This Home had everything needed for a journey into this large city. Everything Ade states in his description is true. I loved it because I was immersed in the culture of the new South Africa. This is no place for someone who wants to be pampered, but rather a jumping off point for an adventure. The people he has maintaining the place are pleasant and attentive (Dyln and Pink). And his recommendation of a tour guide was perfect for me. I like locals who are open and engaged. I got this with Jacob (the tour guide) and the previously mentioned. Food shopping at Woolworths(!) was easy and I really fell in love with Chakalaka. If you ever have been to NYC, this city will be familiar. The new downtown where Mandela Square is is just another new city. I liked the old part better, and Ade's place, and his recommendations were spot on.”
Huge City-Centre Luxury Penthouse
Huge City-Centre Luxury Penthouse

Ade & Prescillia
Joined
Nov 2014
Last login
This week
Response rate
Excellent
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- 3 Bedrooms
- Sleeps 6
- 2 Bathrooms
About our home
Set in the top three floors of the former headquarters building of Barclay’s bank, this huge (2,600sqft), newly renovated penthouse, with a private decked roof-terrace, outdoor Jacuzzi and access to a rooftop swimming pool, is in the heart of Jo’burg’s trendy CBD.
The apartment is minutes away from the Gautrain station, giving direct access to Rosebank, Sandton, Pretoria and the airport. The CBD is a major hub for Uber (www.uber.com), making this is the perfect spot from which to explore all that Johannesburg has to offer.
My apartment is available for rental or points bookings.
It's spread over the 9th, 10th and 11th floor of the heritage (listed), former Barclays Bank HQ, building on the oldest street in Johannesburg.
It's about 30 minutes from Johannesburg airport, where most international visitors land before taking another flight to South Africa's coastal cities or other countries in Southern Africa.
The layout of the apartment was designed so that the communal living spaces would all benefited from outdoor space on the rooftop (our garden) and the amazing city views.
On the entrance floor of the apartment there is a Master bedroom suite which incorporates a large en-suite bathroom, walk-in-wardrobe and extra length queen sized bed; a second bedroom which also has an extra length queen bed, cupboard and a desk; a third bedroom with two extra length single beds; and another bathroom.
The middle floor of the apartment has an open plan living area (with a woodburning stove), dining area (with a six-seater dining table) and kitchen, with a wrap around balcony that gives some of the best views of Johannesburg’s historic old city centre, available.
An iron spiral staircase leads up from the living area, to the top floor deck room, with access to the roof deck which has ample seating around a fire pit, plus a built in bbq and Jacuzzi.
The apartment also has a Sonos wifi sound system in the lounge and Master bedroom, so if you have downloaded the Sonos app (www.sonos.com) you can play music from your phone, PC or tablet wirelessly, in any of those rooms.
The CBD, it's the oldest part of Johannesburg with a 9 or 10 block area that was originally modeled on neoclassical city centers. Thus it has a very old New York/City of London feel. It's thriving during the week and very quiet at the weekends. It has become the 'new trendy' part of Johannesburg. Whilst the cafes and art galleries have always been around, the growth of the weekend farmers/flea markets, in the surrounding suburbs, over the past five years, makes it a great base for weekend excursions. Neighbourgoods market (Braamfontein), Arts on Main (Maboneng) and The Sheds@1fox (Fox street) are all 5-10 minutes away.
2015 is the year that Johannesburg finally emerged from the shadows of its prettier, but less hip and friendly, sister city of Cape Town.
It ranks as #1 in The Rough Guides (www.roughguide.com) 2015 List of the Top Ten Cities, #37 on Travel and Leisure's (www.travelandleisure.com) list of the Best Places to Travel in 2015, is listed on BBC (www.bbc.com) Travel List of the Hottest Cities, as well as in The Times (www.thetimes.co.uk) as "The latest hip city break"
Uber works extreamly well and is very affordable, in Johannesburg. Thus pretty much all that Johannesburg has to offer is within 30 minutes, either by car or the Gautrain.
But if you really want to see Johannesburg, I’d recommend a day pass on the hop-on hop off Citysightseeing (www.http:/www.citysightseeing.co.za) tour bus, that has a stop 3 minutes from the front door. Tripadvisor also has one of the best ‘3-days in Johannesburg’ Travel Guides that I’ve seen (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Guide-g312578-k379-Johannesburg_Greater_Johannesburg_Gauteng.html ), that pretty much hits the spot re things to do, with all the recommended places to visit on day one, being less than 1.5km from the apartment.
Features
- Vacation Home
- Garden
- Balcony
- Pool
- Cleaner
- Wifi
- Cable TV
- No smoking
- Dish washer
- Washing machine
- Dryer
- Parking
- No pets
“So, I must first say that Ade was most accommodating to me and my friends. We wanted to stay downtown instead of the suburbs. And, his penthouse was booked upon our arrival and we really wanted to stay there, however, he allowed us to stay one night in his other place, and move to the penthouse the next day. Ironically, his guest in the penthouse was communicating with my friend on a S.A. FB page prior to arrival. Who knew? LOL. Anyway, Ade through the entire process was very communicative via email. Upon arrival, he has his manager, Dylene handle things locally. So, first, the elevators and hallways were being worked on when we arrived, but the elevators worked...that wasn't an issue for us. Both places, met our expectations and they were lovely spaces ---both of them. We were not disappointed in the least. You would never guess what awaits inside from the exterior of the building. It reminds me sort of like NYC....a hidden gem! And, if you're in the Penthouse, you have to use the rooftop! AMAZING! Thanks, Ade for sharing your space --allowing me and my girlfriends to experience South Africa in style...you too, Dylene!!! You won't be disappointed if you stay here.”
“Ade’s home was perfectly beautiful, accurate and his attention to detail and consideration was evident at every turn. Ade is the most kind, friendly and warmest host we could have asked for. He became flexible to our plans and allowed us to crash at his place for a few hours as we were awaiting our flight from Cape Town and home at the tail end of our trip. He was out of town when we arrived, however he was always a phone call or text message away if we needed something. He sent us ample recommendations of how to spend our time in Jozi and kept us in touch with the building manager who was living on site (and who also helped us carry our baggage up the stairs when the lift gave out!). His apartment is truly in the center of Johannesburg, which is very busy by day and less so in the evening. We had an easy time finding groceries in walking distance, hoping on the double decker tour bus to explore Jozi, and taking Ubers/cabs at night. His place is on the 9th floor and was absolutely beautifully decorated, reflecting his own personal travels and taste with the rooftop overlooking sprawling Johannesburg. His kitchen is stocked with all you could need to make your stay as personal as you need it to be. We felt very safe with the security at his apartment and were able to walk out and around whenever we wanted. I would definitely recommend staying at Ade’s home if you want to be in the city centre. Ade is also well traveled, so he knows a lot about other South African cities in addition to offering insight into excursions to do while in Jozi. Over all I highly recommend Ade’s place for a group. I would definitely stay here next time I travel to Jozi! Thank you Ade for making our time in South Africa memorable. ”
“Merveilleux couple sympathique et passionné… respectueux du lieu.. ce n’était qu’un bonheur de les recevoir”
“Lovely couple!”
“Ade and Prescillia are great people you can trust. Communication was very easy before, during and after their stay. They left out apt very clean. ”
More about us
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After 20 years in corporate (www.linkedin.com/in/ade-ashaye), I'm now able to split my time between two passion projects. Applying the knowledge gained at Visa, to improve the formal financial inclusion of low income women, through my role at Women's World Banking; Driving the regeneration of downtown Johannesburg (South Africa) through the renovation and up-cycling of some of it's oldest buildings.
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I'm fortunate in that my formal work is not geographically bound and I have a great team that works on the renovations., so both myself and my fiancee can work from anywhere with a stable and fast internet connection.
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Many of the properties that I have renovated are available for short term rental and are the vacation homes that I have listed in LHS. This makes the renovation work self-sustaining, whilst also enabling my fiancee (who is also a digital nomad) and I to experience different parts of the world.
Swap availability
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Where is it?
Neighbourhood
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