Cape Town is set to transform its shopping landscape with the upcoming Grandwest Mall, a sprawling 22,000m² retail haven adjacent to the iconic Grandwest Casino. This ambitious project, spearheaded by developers Flanagan & Gerard in partnership with Sun International, promises to deliver a vibrant mix of retail outlets, restaurants, and health and fitness centres, catering to the diverse needs of the surrounding communities.
With an investment of R600 million, the Grandwest Mall aims to create not just a shopping destination, but a comprehensive leisure experience that will invigorate the local economy and provide thousands of jobs for residents. As construction is slated to begin this September, excitement is building for what is poised to be a landmark development in Cape Town.
The Grandwest Mall will be built on the grounds of the Grandwest Casino and entertainment complex and will feature an array of retail outlets, restaurants and health and fitness centres.
At the leasing launch event on Thursday, developers and owners Flanagan & Gerard and Sun International said they’re building on a concept that they started with the Boardwalk Mall and Casino complex in Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape, that encompasses a whole shopping, leisure and entertainment experience.
This latest R600 million build will cater for the surrounding communities of Thornton, Goodwood, Norwood, Epping, Bonteheuwel, Elsies River, Langa, Kensington, Gugulethu and Parow.
Flanagan & Gerard said they undertake extensive research before committing to a new development, and GrandWest Mall was no exception.
“Our demographic research shows there is a very real need to create a retail centre that answers the everyday shopping needs in this community. GrandWest Mall is being carefully designed to satisfy its immediate market and regional entertainment customer. We are thrilled to be working with Sun International again and to create the ultimate shopping experience at GrandWest,” said Paul Gerard, MD of Flanagan & Gerard.
The new Mall is hoping to also attract would-be shoppers that are travelling along Jakes Gerwel Drive past the Casino and those that would normally come to the casino complex for gambling and entertainment.
The Mall hopes to open in March 2027 with sod turning to start in September this year.
Paul Gerard said construction of the mall will employ local labour from the surrounding communities.
“We need to embrace the local community and one of those is sourcing local labour wherever possible and where there is no specialists we will source from outside. Cape Town is very diverse in terms industries so your ability to source local labour is very good. So we always say that we will source local labour provided they are market related. We have a proud record of sourcing local labour, because if you source local labour, they will come and spend at your shopping centre.
The project hopes to create about 2,500 jobs during construction and roughly 2,000 permanent posts.
Gerard said there will also be opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
“We make space for little businesses and small businesses. What the small businesses often do is provide the flavour which differentiates us from other shopping centres.”
Gerard said they will try and do different rental deals with small businesses based on turnover.
“We will work out a deal that is fair between us and the retailer. There is no shelf price for rental. With rental there has to be two willing parties on what they think is a sustainable rental going forward.”
Flanagan & Gerard will own two thirds of the Mall and Sun International through Sunwest will own a third.
Sun International’s CEO, Anthony Leeming, said, “We believe that our investment in the GrandWest Mall will add enormous value to GrandWest and will become a vital asset for the broader Goodwood area. As the experience with our Boardwalk Mall in Gqeberha has proved, we have full confidence in our partner Flanagan & Gerard to deliver a world-class retail development that will enhance our GrandWest visitor experience.”
Gerard said although the surrounding areas are middle to low income areas, they are pitching the mall as an aspirational shopping centre for the community that will also service the needs of people coming from further afield.
The development will include full backup power, protecting it against power disruptions.
“Resource efficiency is a key consideration for the developers and will include water-wise indigenous landscaping, waste recycling, water savings and energy efficiency by incorporating natural light into its design,” the developers said in a statement.
