Massive new shopping mall opening in South Africa’s richest province this year
Leratong City Mall in Mogale City is making progress and is set to open its doors in October 2026, with further developments planned over the next decade.
The new 35,000 sqm regional shopping mall is central to a 350-hectare mixed-use development in Gauteng.
The mall is being designed by MDS Architecture and developed by McCormick Property Development (MPD).
The development sits at the strategic intersection of major routes connecting Mogale City, Soweto, Randfontein, Merafong, Roodepoort, Florida and Johannesburg.
The mall will serve as the commercial anchor for a broader nodal development that includes 15,000 housing units, government services, and a private hospital.
The wider development was inspired by President Ramaphosa’s 2019 national Smart City pronouncement.
With an investment value of R5 billion, it stands among the largest developments in Mogale City over the next decade.
The mall portion is set to open in October 2026, with development of the remaining parts of Leratong City planned over the next 10 to 15 years.
The development is a partnership between the Gauteng government, Mogale City Local Municipality and Trendville.
Construction is expected to boost broader economic and infrastructure development in the area. The mall is located across from Leratong Hospital and plans to serve the surrounding communities.
“This isn’t just about creating another shopping destination,” said Louis Pretorius, partner at MDS Architecture
“It’s about driving broader community development. The architectural decisions we’ve made, the amphitheatre, the entrance plazas, the integration with pedestrian networks, all support the larger vision of creating a genuine urban centre.”
Inspired by mining
MDS said that the mall’s flexible floor plates accommodate a range of store sizes and configurations, while generous circulation areas can also host pop-up retail, markets, and community events.
“Our approach to Leratong City was fundamentally about creating a space that serves the community beyond transactional retail,” said Pretorius.
“This project required us to think deeply about how architecture can foster genuine community interaction while delivering a world-class retail experience.”
The mall’s shape and positioning are designed to bring in natural light while keeping the interior cool.
The food court also overlooks the amphitheatre, with sliding glass doors creating an indoor-outdoor dining experience that takes advantage of South Africa’s good weather.
The mall will also have 3.3 MW of installed solar power capacity through rooftop panels, comprising 21 x 120kW inverters (2.52 MW of AC) and 5,376 PV Modules (3.3 MW of DC).
The mall is also designed with references to the mining industry, given the region’s deep roots in early mining in the area.
This includes angular steel structures inspired by mining headgear, which Pretorius said creates “a sense of anticipation, marking the transition from the everyday urban environment into something special.”
Leratong Mall Photos and Renderings
Loading ...