FNB Bank City
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FNB Bank City is the city headquarters of one of South Africa's biggest banks and the country's oldest bank, tracing its beginning back to what is now the Eastern Cape province 180 years ago. With all that history behind FNB the bank is more forward-looking than ever seeking to revive its city location as a hub for entertainment and leisure for its around 12 000 staff members and for city visitors in general.
Set around a series of grand granite-clad courtyards that have been transformed into an urban green oasis, complete with indigenous trees, fountains and outdoor lounges, the precinct houses around 34 stores, cafes and resturants spread across and around Fraser Street, which connects Jeppe and Pritchard Streets.
The bank's colourful history is marked with a small mobile exhibition and also look out for the iMadiba project in the piazza, a creative museum-exhibit that is part of an international project that has recreated Nelson Mandela's Robben Island cell with the aim of encouraging reflection and dialogue. The picturesque Kerk Street Mosque abuts the precinct.
In 2020 FNB bank City will be added to the route of the City Sightseeing Bus which leaves from Rosebank, and then Constitution Hill on its hop-on hop-off tour of the city.
For lunch or a drink you are spoiled for choice with a great selection of popular local chains including: the massive foodhall chain Food Lover's Eatery where you can pick up everything from pizzas to poke bowls; the refreshing Happy.Me bubble tea shop, one of the city centre's best coffee shops Flight Coffee, Paul's Homemade Ice Cream, Corner Bakery, Tjips and the funky Durban-chain Afro's Chicken Shop for flame-grilled chicken served with handcut chips. Note that most food retailers at FNB Bank City do not open on weekends.
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