New R600 million mall coming to one of South Africa’s biggest entertainment venues

A new R600 million mall is coming to the GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World in Cape Town.

Flanagan & Gerard Group, in partnership with Sun International, are developing the 22,000 sqm shopping centre.

It believes the new shopping centre will elevate convenience retail in the Western Cape. The site has already drawn the interest of over 100 national, regional and local retailers.

Leasing is officially underway, with GrandWest Mall building on the reputation of the largest entertainment destination of its kind, which also houses Sun International’s most successful casino.

R600 million will be invested in the new GrandWest Mall, which will be two-thirds owned by Flanagan & Gerard and one-third by Sun International.

This forms another partnership for the companies following the successful redevelopment of the Boardwalk Mall in Gqeberha.

The new single-level shopping centre will link into GrandWest’s redeveloped children’s entertainment area to improve family appeal.

It will feature two grocers, two pharmacies, and an array of specialist food retailers. There will also be fashion, health, beauty and athleisure retail options.

New eateries will also enhance the existing range of family-friendly restaurants and coffee shops at GrandWest.

“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,” said Sun International’s CEO, Anthony Leeming.

“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.”

Need for a shopping centre

Flanagan & Gerard did extensive research before committing to the new development, with its demographic research revealing a need for a new retail centre for everyday shopping needs.

“GrandWest Mall is being carefully designed to satisfy its immediate market and regional entertainment customer,” said Paul Gerard, MD of Flanagan & Gerard.

“We are thrilled to be working with Sun International again and to create the ultimate shopping experience at GrandWest.”

On top of the locals’ needs, commuters travelling to and from work are expected to enjoy the ease and direct access from the N7, N1 and N2 highways.

The development will include full backup power, water-wise indigenous landscaping, waste recycling, water savings and energy efficiency by incorporating natural light.

A development of this scale should create 2,500 jobs during construction and roughly 2,000 permanent posts. Local contractors and materials will be used wherever possible in the development.

GrandWest is already a major entertainment destination and one of Cape Town’s most prominent landmarks.

It first opened in December 2000 and comprises the only licensed casino in the Cape Town Metropole, a 5,400-seat multi-purpose indoor arena, two hotels, bowling and the city’s only ice rink.

Building on its strength, the Grand Hotel recently underwent a R125 million extension and upgrade, with an additional 64 rooms added to the boutique Grand Hotel.

GrandWest attracts roughly 500,000 visitors monthly via its blend of restaurants and entertainment options.

“GrandWest’s development was a catalyst for investment in this area, and over the years we have funded several projects,” said GrandWest’s General Manager, Mervyn Naidoo.

“But the area has always lacked a retail centre. We run a 24/7 operation, averaging over 16,000 visitors a day, so we have been regularly asked to add a retail element for the convenience of our surrounding communities.”

Renderings of the new mall