Construction begins on new R650 million shopping mall in Cape Town
· The South African
One of Cape Town’s best-known entertainment destinations is about to get a major retail upgrade.
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Construction has officially started on the new R650 million GrandWest Mall in Goodwood, a development that will add thousands of square metres of shopping space to the already popular GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World precinct.
The project is being developed through a joint venture between Flanagan & Gerard Property Group and GrandWest, a subsidiary of Sun International, and is expected to open its doors in June 2027.
The development represents one of the latest major retail investments in the Western Cape, and signals continued confidence in brick-and-mortar shopping centres despite increasing competition from online retailers.
Major retailers already signed up for the shopping mall
Developers have revealed that more than 70% of the mall’s gross lettable area has already been secured before construction is complete.
Among the anchor tenants confirmed for the centre are Checkers FreshX, a Halaal SuperSpar, Dis-Chem and Clicks.
Several popular fashion retailers are also expected to take space in the mall, including brands from the Mr Price Group, Truworths and Pepkor stable of stores.
The strong pre-letting performance suggests retailers see significant potential in the location, which already attracts a large number of visitors through its entertainment and hospitality offerings.
A new shopping destination for Cape Town
The new mall will comprise approximately 22 000m² of retail space in a single-level convenience shopping centre.
Unlike traditional regional malls that rely heavily on destination shopping, convenience centres are designed to cater to regular household needs while providing easy access and shorter shopping trips.
However, GrandWest’s unique position within a larger entertainment precinct means the development could benefit from both convenience shoppers and leisure visitors already frequenting the area.
The mall will join an existing mix of attractions that includes gaming facilities, hotels, conference venues, restaurants and family entertainment options.
Beyond the new shopping opportunities, the project is expected to provide a significant economic boost for the surrounding area.
Reports linked to the development indicate that approximately 2 500 jobs could be created during the construction phase.
Once the centre is operational, a further 2 000 permanent positions are expected to be supported through retail stores, centre management, security, maintenance and related services.
Retail and entertainment under one roofOne of the defining features of the project is its integration with the broader GrandWest precinct.
Rather than operating as a standalone shopping centre, the mall will connect directly to GrandWest’s family entertainment facilities, including the Magic Company arcade and Ten Pin Bowling.
Visitors will also be within walking distance of several established restaurant brands, including Panarottis, Ocean Basket and RocoMamas.
The aim is to create a destination where visitors can combine shopping, dining and entertainment in a single trip.
GrandWest general manager Mervyn Naidoo said the development would strengthen the precinct’s appeal to families and enhance its position as a day-to-night destination.