The gallery was first established in 1910, operating from the premises of what is today`s Wits University. The collection was subsequently moved to Joubert Park where it remains to this day. The building housing the museum was first designed by Edwin Lutyens, a renowned British architect, in 1911, but it was not until 1915 that construction on the site was completed under the supervision of Robert Howden, a South African architect. Side wings were added to the building some time in 1940. The building was further extended in 1986, when the north wing was upgraded and renovated.

(Source: www.joburg.org.za)