The City of Johannesburg and Marble Towers have reached a court agreement to pause demolitions at the iconic CBD building while both parties conduct joint inspections to identify alleged illegal structures.

This decision follows tensions after city officials attempted to enforce an earlier court order, prompting Marble Towers to initially seek legal intervention before agreeing to the inspection terms.

Under the new arrangement, inspectors from the city and Goldenrod (the building owner) have 72 hours to assess the property, document non-compliant structures, and agree on sealing or regularising them.City lawyer Mphati Lebakeng highlighted evidence of shops operating illegally and generator usage in enclosed spaces as key concerns.

Goldenrod’s attorney Zubair Khan emphasized that the agreement ensures lawful compliance and prevents unilateral demolition actions without judicial oversight.The court order remains valid, with inspections serving to clarify which structures require sealing or legalisation.

Both parties expressed willingness to collaborate, with Marble Towers’ lawyer noting their substantial investment in the landmark property and commitment to resolving issues through constructive engagement.