Daily Archives: November 4, 2025

New R600 million shopping centre opens in South Africa’s busiest corridor

Mushroom Farm Shopping Centre has officially opened, introducing a new mixed-use retail destination to the Kyalami–Waterfall area.

Developed and owned by Century Property Developments, the R600 million centre occupies a prime site at the corner of Allandale and President Roads.

The development pays tribute to its origins as a working mushroom farm bordering the historic Waterval Farm, now part of Waterfall Estates.

Designed with input from local residents, the 27,000m² centre features over 50 retail, dining, and service offerings, positioned around a central piazza intended to serve as a community hub.

“This is not your typical mall. Customers can expect something different the moment they arrive. Every detail has been crafted to offer convenience shopping that enhances daily life – from the layout and architecture to the tenant mix and pet-friendly spaces,” said Japie Vos, project manager at Century Property Developments.

“The result is a fresh take on convenience, combining shopping, signature restaurants, offices and a medical facility in a contemporary village setting.”

Retail and dining mix

The centre’s retail experience is anchored by a 9,000m² Checkers Hyper and a 1,300m² Dis-Chem, complemented by fashion retailers such as WW Edit, Mr Price, Pick n Pay Clothing, Miladys, Contempo and Kingsmead Shoes.

Home and décor outlets include @Home, Dial-a-Bed, Mr Price Home, Pep Home, Volpes and Johannesburg’s first Mambos Storage and Home.

Health and beauty tenants range from BOA Beauty Bar, Sorbet and Niche Perfumes to Spec Savers and Barberland, while PNA, The Crazy Store and Bargain Books serve everyday shopping needs.

Dining options include Baglios-Porchinis, Dough & Co, Biltong Republic, Wimpy, Seattle Coffee, Pizza Baby, Tasty Gallos and Yiko Asian Eatery.

Additional restaurants such as Bootleggers, Blu Bam Boo Fusion Kitchen, Butcher Boys Prime Steakhouse and Luna Lusa are set to open in the coming weeks. The Whippet will open on 6 November.

Three drive-through outlets – Mugg & Bean, Steers and KFC – have also been incorporated.

Designed by BAR Architects and built by Archstone Construction, the architecture combines natural textures with contemporary design. High ceilings, glass brickwork and cedar finishes reference the site’s agricultural past.

The development includes medical and office suites on the upper level, with retail and restaurant terraces overlooking the landscape.

Accessibility is prioritised through 1,150 parking bays, 96 taxi bays, 60 motorbike bays, and dedicated zones for ride-hailing and delivery services.

Major road upgrades to Allandale Road and the K73, completed during the construction phase, have improved regional connectivity.

The centre incorporates a 2.1MVA solar plant, borehole and rainwater systems, and low-flow plumbing, ensuring operations during power outages.

Construction, which began in September 2024, created 2,100 jobs, with local suppliers and artisans contributing to the build and interior artworks.

A second phase of the development is already planned for 2026, expanding on what Century Property Developments describes as a ‘next-generation’ neighbourhood centre model.

Where the smart money’s moving: South Africa’s top and emerging coastal investment towns

South Africans are increasingly leaving inland cities such as Johannesburg for coastal hotspots including Cape Town, the Garden Route, and KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast.

While national property price growth remains uneven, coastal towns continue to outperform, driven by semigration, remote work, and lifestyle migration.

According to Quay 1 International Realty, Cape Town remains at the centre of South Africa’s coastal investment market in 2025, supported by strong demand, limited housing stock, and lifestyle appeal.

For sellers, market conditions are favourable: stock is low, buyers are motivated, and prices remain resilient in high-demand areas such as the Atlantic Seaboard, Southern Suburbs, Bloubergstrand, and Milnerton. Sectional title prices in Cape Town’s coastal suburbs have risen by more than 35% since 2020.

Freestanding homes in Sea Point, Green Point, and Noordhoek continue to achieve record sales. Antonie Goosen, principal and founder of Meridian Realty, said the trend reflects deeper lifestyle and governance factors.

“South Africans want lifestyle security. The coast offers cleaner governance, better infrastructure and a higher quality of life. These are long-term fundamentals that investors can trust.”

Coastal towns lead property performance

Coastal property remains one of South Africa’s most resilient asset classes, with sustained demand in the Western Cape and Garden Route, and renewed activity in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.

In the Western Cape, Somerset West, Strand, Hermanus, Gansbaai, and Mossel Bay are benefitting from infrastructure upgrades and growing buyer interest. Dana Bay offers lower entry prices with ocean views, while Plettenberg Bay and Knysna remain premium markets.

Goosen said sectional title apartments and smaller homes are increasingly popular for their rental appeal and low maintenance. In the Eastern Cape, Jeffreys Bay and St Francis Bay are evolving into year-round residential hubs as connectivity and roads improve.

Key trends shaping semigration

Short-term letting has become a major growth driver, especially in Cape Town, where tourism recovery has boosted rental yields. Areas such as Sea Point, Green Point, De Waterkant, and Blouberg are among the top performers for Airbnb and executive rentals.

Goosen said several factors are underpinning the semigration boom:

  • Remote work turning coastal towns into full-time communities
  • Early retirement migration, with buyers in their fifties investing early
  • Energy and water resilience, including solar and rainwater systems
  • Sectional title growth, offering flexibility and affordability

“Buyers are prioritising convenience and sustainability,” Goosen said. “They want homes that are secure, energy efficient, and adaptable for either personal use or income generation.”

Emerging coastal opportunities

While the Western Cape continues to lead on governance and returns, Goosen noted that emerging markets offer strong value.

“There are towns where you can still buy below R2 million and see meaningful capital growth.”

Rental yields average around 6% in prime Western Cape areas, rising to 10% or more in emerging KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape towns.

He advised investors to focus on municipalities with sound governance, access to infrastructure, and properties that can serve dual purposes as rentals and future homes.

Beyond Cape Town, secondary coastal markets are following suit. Towns like Yzerfontein, Langebaan, and Hermanus have seen double-digit growth, while George and Herolds Bay on the Garden Route have nearly doubled in value over five years.

In KwaZulu-Natal, the North Coast – including Ballito, Salt Rock, and Sheffield – remains buoyant, with strong semigration inflows and short-term rental yields above the national average.

“People will always be drawn to the coast,” Goosen said. “In uncertain times, lifestyle and liveability drive decisions, and those factors will keep well-chosen coastal investments performing well into the future.”