Westown, the New City of the West and Durban’s newest commercial, tourism and retail hub, is estimated to generate some R15 billion in investment over the next 10 to 15 years, with over R2,5bn already committed and being invested by Fundamentum, together with the Absa Commercial and Investment Bank (Absa) backing of the 48 000m² Westown Square shopping experience. We hear more from Carlos Correia, CEO of Fundamentum Property Group.
“Without the City’s facilitative investment, the land Westown is being built on, would still be sugarcane, not offering any return, financially, socially or environmentally,” says Carlos Correia. “We are incredibly bullish about Durban and KZN as THE place for investment and proud to be spearheading this wave of optimism and tangible opportunity.”
Since October 2022 when the first sod was turned and the development of Westown began, nearly 75% of phase 1 has been completed – the extensive landscaping and construction of parking areas within the Westown Square shopping environment, as well as road upgrades and bulk infrastructure installations.
Bulk and precinct infrastructure
Through this public/private partnership, some R600 million is being invested by the eThekwini Municipality into supporting bulk infrastructure (roads, water, wastewater and electricity), while Fundamentum is overseeing and managing this development work through contractors Stefanutti Stocks and is also investing hundreds of millions into the new bulk and precinct infrastructure.
Westown Square shopping
Designed by MDS Architecture in a joint venture with Boogertman and Partners KZN, Westown Square will ‘prioritise the movement of people, social spaces and lifestyle as part of the shopping experience’, says Donald McGillivray, MDS Architecture partner.
The focus is on open spaces, with densely-planted walkways, pergola-covered seating, large trees and planter boxes, celebrating the outdoors and setting the tone for Westown as a whole. Key features of Westown Square include the Town Centre and Town Gardens as well as the amphitheatre and children’s play areas.
A key component of Westown Square is The Barn, a shared space for community connection that will house an eclectic selection of artisanal homeware, art, beauty, fashion, food and beverage outlets, alongside quality restaurants and niche concept eateries. Opening with Westown Square in March 2025, this collective space works hand in hand with the Westown Square tenant mix creating a first-of-its-kind environment.
Due to launch in the last quarter of 2024, the JSE-listed Balwin Properties (Balwin), will add a further R2 billion in value with their 1 260-apartment lifestyle estate Shongweni Eco Park. This will mark the first of 3 000 units to be built in the Westown Urban Core, with a total of 20 000 units set to bring a rich residential element over time, to the greater Shongweni development.
Farrier Business Park
The platform and service installations for Farrier Business Park are underway with 80,000 square meters of platform area available. This key precinct within the Westown development will be a hub for warehousing and logistics services, with occupancy planned for mid-2025. Westown’s position on the N3 is a strategic logistics advantage.
To cater to the 3 000 new residential units being occupied in the Westown urban core over the next 5-8 years medical services are a must and The West Private Hospital has been awarded a 100-bed licence. Opportunities related to co-development and ownership as well as operations are currently in negotiation.
Parc Ferme will offer convenient access to showrooms, retail stores and an office component, designed with shared common areas that reflect Westown’s ethos of connection. These mixed-use elements maximise the high traffic visibility of the site location.
Westown Square and the The Barn open on 27 March 2025, with these retail hubs and related infrastructurural upgrades paving the way for Shongweni Eco Park, Farrier Business Park, Parc Ferme, The West Private Hospital and ultimately, The New City of the West.
For more information visit www.westown.co.za
For leasing enquiries at The Barn & Westown Square contact Lana 083 511 4433.
