Once a derelict complex of light industrial buildings, this sprawling site in Lorentzville in eastern Joburg  has undergone a spectacular re-imagining. Underlying this development is the vision for a complex of makers, artists and artisans, that has infused new life into this downtrodden neighbourhood that lies between the downtown Maboneng Precinct and Cyrildene's colourful Chinatown. Their is also a commitment to greening that has resulted in a lush urban garden. 

Lorentzville is also home to the headquarters of homegrown grilled chicken giant Nando's, whose global reach has taken peri-peri chicken to new heights. Their headquarters at Nando's Central Kitchen across the road from Victoria Yards (once Nando's sauce bottling factory) is a model of contemporary South African art and design (closed to the public sadly).

A work in progress the Victoria Yards complex is home to a number of prominent local artists including Blessing Ngobeni, Ayanda Mabulu, James Delaney and world-renowned photographer Roger Ballen. It is also the site of the gorgeous Daville Baillie Gallery showcasing contemporary art as well as selling South African masters, and the Daville Baillie bookshop with a great selection of art books and other interesting titles curated by a leading former arts journalist, writer, editor and curator Matthew Krouse.

Artisans workshops include the fantastic furniture studio and factory of David Krynauw and Coote & Wench, a husband and wife team who create magical furniture pieces and lighting from industrial parts. French jewellery maker Helene Thomas's bijou studio Yol is an enticing cavern of exquisite hand crafted jewels. Calling herself a 'nomad jeweller' she combines traditional African bead art with contemporary designs. 

Another must-stop is Tshepo The Jean Maker's studio. Tshepo's first crafted pair of jeans, the Presidential Slim Fit', kick-started his denim career in 2015. This was after he abandoned a future in filmmaking for fashion design. Don't leave without a pair of Joburg-designed denims. Buy off the rack or order your own custom fit. We also love Wrapt's knitwear.

If you've visited the boutique shopping complex 44 Stanley in Milpark you'll recognise elements of its cool and contemporary industrial aesthetic, as the two sites share a founder. The gardens of Victoria Yards are lush with herbs and medicinal plants and will soon include fruit trees. Linking the area to a number of other inner-city agricultural initiatives, there are also plans for a produce market in the future. 

Opening hours are not regulated and many of the spaces are let to working artists so the best time to visit is on the first Sunday of the month when Victoria Yards artists throw open their doors to visitors.​​​