R150 million expansion for shopping mall in tiny South African town

·8 Apr 2026

The Piquetberg Mall in the Western Cape is undergoing a large R150 million expansion, which marks the largest retail investment ever for the small town.

The expansion in the Swartland town of Piquetberg, C.K.A Piketberg, has entered its third and final stage. When completed later this year, it will double the mall’s gross lettable area (GLA) to 13,000 sqm.

The mall’s redevelopment is spearheaded by its owners, the Jankielsohn family, who also own the Boland SUPERSPAR.

The mall’s expansion will include over 40 stores, over 400 free parking spaces (including 86 underground), two elevators, two staircases, and an escalator.

The redevelopment also includes a set of ablutions, a food court offering a variety of cuisines, a mix of national and local tenants, including the pet-friendly PET STOREY and Vida e Caffè outlets.

The project also includes improved pedestrian access from Long Street, which should make it easier for residents to move through the town’s commercial hub.

Piketberg, home to just over 12,000 residents, is located less than two hours from Cape Town. It is the commercial and agricultural hub for the Swartland district.

The town forms part of the Bergrivier Municipality, which often achieves clean audits and is known for its stable governance.

“From vineyards, fruit farms and wheat fields to historical buildings, mountain biking and other outdoor activities, Piketberg has something for everyone,” said Dean Jankielsohn.

“It’s a well‑run town with a strong sense of community, and we’re proud to be part of its growth story.”

A 40-year family legacy

The mall’s expansion marks the start of a new era for the Jankielsohn family, who, over the span of nearly 40 years, have grown from owning a modest SPAR to becoming an established retail anchor.

A key aim of the mall is to create a village within a village, replicating the surrounding environment.

“We wanted the Mall to reflect the character of Piketberg and its spectacular mountain setting, and we were determined to avoid a traditional concrete mall feel,” said Jankielsohn.

“That meant using natural light and warm materials combined with comfortable outdoor spaces and a curated tenant mix that serves both local and aspirational shoppers.”

The family’s investment in Piketberg is also a response to the dilapidated state of many of South Africa’s big city centres, which they did not want to happen to Piketberg.

“Deurbanisation happens when people move away from the city for various reasons. Retail drift. New and competing developments in outlying suburbs. Crime. Investment slows.”

“And small towns are even more vulnerable to fading away. We didn’t want that for Piketberg. We didn’t want it to shrink, so we took the opposite approach and invested in its sustainability instead.”

The family owns 3.3 hectares of land in the centre of town and is committed to keeping development within the CBD to support local businesses, promote foot traffic, and encourage economic activity.

Given that Piketberg sits on a mountain slope, the redevelopment required extensive engineering work.

KLS Consulting Engineers, By Design, and GASS Architecture Studios were tasked with making the mall easy to travel, illuminated by natural light and aligned with Piketberg’s charming village atmosphere.

To ensure that the new section merged seamlessly with the existing buildings, structural engineering firm By Design was tasked with creating high retaining walls and suspended concrete and steel structures.

Barend Oosthuizen, owner and principal structural engineer at By Design, believes the expanded Piquetberg Mall will become the “go‑to place” for locals and travellers alike.

“It has an exceptional mix of tenants, a food court designed for a wide range of tastes, and the magnificent Piketberg mountains as its backdrop,” Oosthuizen said.