Master Mansions

Table of Contents

About Master Mansions

Developed by the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation in consultation with the City of Joburg

Address

Corner of Commissioner Street and Ntemi Piliso Street, Ferreirastown.
December 2018

Inscription

MASTER MANSIONS Master mansions was built in 1941 by the Master brothers, accommodating shops on the ground floor, Mabro Hats factory on the first floor, and six floors of apartments. Around 1 000 hats for ladies were produced each day in the factory. The flats housed many Gujarati immigrants from India. In the 1940s, struggle hero Walter Sisulu opened his real estate business on the ground floor.

Photo courtesy: Kabelo Mokoena (Sunday Times)

Explore Joburg

A culmination of research gathered over many years, the Online Johannesburg Heritage Register is being launched on Nelson Mandela Day 18 July 2025.

Among the many heritage sites featured is Chancellor House, the downtown offices of Mandela and Tambo Attorneys in the 1950s. After having been vacant and shuttered for more than a decade, this iconic building is being revived and brought to life once again as offices for the Community Development Department, which oversees the City’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Services.