Gqeberha – A major R75 million redevelopment of Walmer Park Shopping Centre in Gqeberha is entering its final phase, with several new retail brands set to arrive at the Eastern Cape mall before the 2026 festive season.
According to BusinessTech, the redevelopment by JSE-listed property group Growthpoint Properties began in March 2026 and is expected to be completed in November.
The first phase has already introduced several new stores, including Burnt Studios and Old School, which are exclusive to Walmer Park in Gqeberha. Bootlegger Coffee Company, FARO, Slops and Clogs and Cellini have also joined the centre’s retail offering.
The second and final phase will bring Yuppiechef to the Eastern Cape for the first time, alongside beauty brand ARC and a redesigned, larger iStore. Cape Union Mart and Totalsports will also receive expanded and upgraded spaces.
Wider strategy of reinvesting
According to Engineering News, the redevelopment forms part of Growthpoint’s wider strategy of reinvesting in dominant shopping centres with strong trading performance.
Growthpoint’s head of retail asset management, Gavin Jones, said Walmer Park had “consistently demonstrated the trading resilience and tenant demand that justify ongoing reinvestment.”
“The additions to the centre’s retail mix made possible by this redevelopment will help ensure that it remains the dominant retail address in the city for years to come,” Jones said.
The project has been undertaken while the mall remains open to shoppers. Growthpoint said the newly created retail space is almost fully let, highlighting strong demand from retailers seeking space at the centre.
New retail category
A further addition will arrive in October when MR.DIY, the Malaysian home-improvement retailer, opens at Walmer Park, introducing a new retail category to the centre.
The redevelopment is the eighth upgrade in Walmer Park’s 38-year history and includes energy-efficient lighting, rooftop solar and continued access to filtered borehole water for shoppers and tenants.
Walmer Park centre manager Leonie Scheepers said shoppers had already responded positively to the changes.
“Shoppers are responding enthusiastically to the fresh variety that the new mall area already provides,” Scheepers said.
“We are proud to be bringing brands and experiences to Gqeberha that shoppers cannot find anywhere else in the city, and there is a great deal more still to come before the festive season.”
The redevelopment is expected to be completed in November, positioning the upgraded centre to capitalise on the busy festive-season trading period.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
