WITH the much-anticipated opening of the retail high street offering of Westown Square in two weeks, the trigger investment within the 100ha mixed-use Urban Core of Westown – the first development activity within the 1 500ha Shongweni Urban Development Framework – becomes a reality and with it, a slew of new business and development opportunities.
The first of these ‘acquisition opportunities’ (based on a rolling, perpetual 99-year leasehold model along similar lines to the very successful Waterfall development in Midrand, Gauteng) is a call for interest in developing an integrated Commercial and Fuel Station opportunity on a site within Westown, 500m from the N3 with Kassier Rd frontage.
As a mixed-use urban core, Westown will provide all the amenities and facilities expected of an integrated, well-planned and fully managed development. While fuel stations are a typical part of urban nodes and a regular requirement for residents, workers and visitors, “we’re expecting proposals that are innovative and of world-class standard,” says Carlos Correia, CEO of the Durban-based Fundamentum Property Group and the muscle behind the development.
Following the opening of Westown Square on 27 March 2025, a host of several other interconnected sub-precincts, spaces, and experiences will commence.
These include Balwin’s Shongweni Eco Park residential offering, a 100-bed private hospital, Farrier Business Park and Parc Fermé, among other business, commercial and retail activities.
- Farrier Business Park – a logistics and warehousing hub, will offer four development models. The first option offers end-users the opportunity to purchase a bespoke completed top structure, the second option offers investors or developers the opportunity to purchase a serviced platform and development rights. The third is a joint venture option while the fourth option would see Fundamentum retaining the top structure for end-user rentals.
- Parc Fermé – catering to those with a love for cars and an active lifestyle, offers convenient access to various showrooms, retail stores and an office component, designed with shared common areas that reflect Westown’s ethos of connection. These mixed-use elements maximise the high traffic visibility of the site’s location.
- Balwin’s Shongweno Eco-Park residential offering is due to launch this month and will offer 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartment offerings across the Boulevard from Westown Square.
“The building of Westown is a vote of confidence in Durban and the province of KZN,” continues Correia. “It’s the new City of the West, a ground-breaking, locally-driven initiative that connects people with spaces and experiences, bringing new opportunities to live, work and thrive.”
With a primary catchment area stretching from Westville up to Cato Ridge, Correia points out that Westown’s pull is attractive. “There is nothing like Westown in KZN. Our location and ease of access, what we are offering, how it has been designed and our broad demographic appeal, are just some of the benefits.”
For details on commercial opportunities at Westown contact Rory.Wilkinson@westown.co.za.
