Westown Square Turns One – And the Momentum Is Building

27 March 2026 – Shongweni, KwaZulu-Natal – Westown Square celebrates its first birthday this weekend, marking a year since opening on 27 March 2025. In just 12 months, the new Shongweni retail experience has welcomed over 5 million visitors and established itself as a vibrant new destination on Durban’s western edge for shopping, dining, entertainment, and community events.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the people of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), especially our neighbours in the outer west, for their support over the past year,” says Carlos Correia, CEO of Fundamentum Property Group. “It’s been a whirlwind of activity, and not without its challenges, with road improvements and other construction underway. But the changes have already made a tangible difference to the area, and the community has really embraced what Westown Square offers.”

The centre’s retail mix combines national brands with local offerings, delivering a versatile and accessible shopping experience for every visitor. Foot traffic is growing steadily, supported by a calendar of events, family-friendly activations, markets, live entertainment, and community-focused initiatives, turning Westown Square into more than just a shopping destination, but a vibrant lifestyle space.

Westown’s first birthday celebrations will roll into the Easter Weekend from 3-6 April, with a massive Digital Easter Egg Hunt and loads of family-friendly entertainment and activities, live music, and special appearances, by the Easter Bunny. Locals and out-of- town visitors are invited to join in the festivities and enjoy the centre’s diverse retail and dining offerings.

“One year in, we’re proud of what has been achieved and excited about what lies ahead,” adds Correia. “Westown Square has laid a strong foundation, and we look forward to building on this momentum as the precinct continues to evolve.”

Retail Update

Westown Square has established itself as a viable retail destination on Durban’s western corridor, supported by steadily increasing foot traffic and a tenant mix that blends established national brands with local businesses. This combination has enabled consistent trading while appealing to a broad and evolving customer base. With 130 tenants across 11 categories, the high street retail mix focuses on Fashion, Home & Décor, Health & Beauty and Dining.

Residential Progress

Balwin Properties has started construction on the first 200 units of Shongweni Eco-Park, part of the Classic Balwin Collection. Phase 1, expected to complete late-2026, features ground-floor apartments with private gardens and upper-floor balconies.

Kaleido, Westown’s newest residential offering, forms part of the broader Westown mixed-use smart city ecosystem.

Designed to blend modern convenience, sustainability, and community connectivity, residents will enjoy retail stores, restaurants, cafés, services, and public spaces all within walking distance. This aligns with the global “15-minute neighbourhood” planning concept.

“We’ve curated this to allow residents to enjoy daily activities within a five-minute walk,” says Jan Jansen van Vuuren, Development Manager for Westown and Kaleido. “The shift towards integrated, walkable environments is apparent with Phase 1 of Kaleido selling over 52% on its launch day. Construction begins in the second half of 2026.”

Over the next five years, Balwin and Fundamentum together plan to construct close to 2,000 residential units at Westown.

Other Development Progress

Detailed designs are complete for West Private Hospital, a 100-bed specialist surgical hospital adjacent to Westown Square, with construction expected in the second half of 2026.

Farrier Business Park will start earthworks in Q3 2026, providing 40,000 m² of bespoke logistics and warehousing space for new tenants.
Westown’s first fuel station is planned for 2027, following regulatory approvals.
The first motor dealerships, Omoda and Jaecoo, have paved the way for Parc Fermè, a dedicated motor-focused commercial scheme launching in 2027.

www.westownsquare.co.za