The South Gauteng High Court has ordered the owners of Marble Towers in Johannesburg’s central business district to urgently bring the building into compliance with safety and building regulations, after concerns were raised about illegal container structures attached to the property.
The court directed Goldenrod Group, the building’s owners, to immediately stop any further construction work on the site. This follows findings that the container structures attached to Marble Towers appear to violate both building regulations and fire safety requirements, raising serious concerns about the condition of the property and its impact on surrounding public areas.
In the dispute, Goldenrod Group had approached the court on an urgent basis to stop the City from demolishing the structures. While the court recognized that the City could not simply demolish the structures without following the correct legal process, it also made clear that the owners must act without delay to address the illegal and unsafe additions.
According to the order, the owners must seal off the building within 72 hours to prevent further risk and to secure the premises. They must also remove any structures that are blocking public spaces, which suggests that the additions have affected access or movement around the building and may have encroached on areas meant for public use.
The court further ordered Goldenrod Group to submit proper building plans within 20 days. This requirement indicates that the existing structures may not have been properly approved and that the owners will now need to regularize the building in line with municipal and safety standards. The submission of compliant plans is a key step in determining whether any part of the construction can be retained, modified, or must be removed.
The ruling reflects the growing pressure on property owners in Johannesburg’s inner city to comply with safety, zoning, and building laws, especially in cases where unapproved structures may threaten occupants, nearby residents, or pedestrians. Marble Towers, a prominent building in the Johannesburg CBD, has now become the subject of a legal and regulatory intervention aimed at restoring order and enforcing compliance.
Although the court stopped short of allowing immediate demolition by the City, the judgment places the responsibility squarely on the owners to make the building safe and legally compliant. The order underscores that any future steps must follow proper legal procedures, but it also sends a strong message that unlawful construction and unsafe conditions will not be tolerated.
Goldenrod Group now faces a tight deadline to secure the building, clear public areas, and present lawful plans for the property. The outcome of the matter will likely depend on whether the owners can satisfy the court and municipal authorities that the building meets the required standards.
