It’s a new dawn for development in KZN, and it’s time for the West. The 11th August 2022 saw the official launch of Westown, a mixed-use precinct of urban and green spaces located on prime real estate in Shongweni along the N3 between Pietermaritzburg and Durban.
Locally driven and guided by a team that understands the context and potential of the place, Westown focuses on the value of open space and ecological assets and aims to create a legacy that will unlock the region’s investment potential.
Westown is the first development activity within the Shongweni Urban Development, a 2 000-hectare eThekwini catalytic project in the outer-west region of KwaZulu Natal. Built around the retail hub of Westown Square, construction begins at the end of August this year, with the much-needed upgrade of Kassier Rd.
This is part of the R733 million infrastructure upgrade to roads and services in the precinct, R600 million of which will be funded by the eThekweni Municipality. These upgrades include a total makeover of the stretch of Kassier Road that crosses the M13 and the N3, involving two new bridges and transforming a badly potholed two-lane road into four lanes.
Designed to connect people with spaces and experiences, while bringing new opportunities to live, work and thrive, Westown is the new economic hub of Durban’s Outer West and is set to generate some R15 billion in new investment over the next 10 years. View the future development.
Westown Square
At the heart of the development is Westown Square an R1.3billion retail offering. This 45 000m² hub is designed in a high street style as opposed to a single-roof mall. With an emphasis on big gardens, wide walkways, and an experience supportive of the Shongweni green belt and the market vibe of “meeting and mingling, Westown Square will feature open and convenient spaces created to connect people to shopping, dining, commercial and recreational amenities. Construction on the trigger phase of this development will begin in September for completion by September 2024.
Westown Land Deal
Led by Fundamentum, a privately held local business with significant experience in property development, property leasing and property management, company CEO Carlos Correia and directors Sean and Don Bergsma (both Durban entrepreneurs) have positioned Westown as a locally-driven initiative defined by the people and characteristics of the West.
In one of the biggest infrastructural investments in Durban since the Soccer World Cup Fundamentum has acquired the development rights for Westown from landowner Tongaat Hulett. Tongaat initially sold 14ha of its Shongweni land to Fundamentum after which an agreement was reached between the two parties for Fundamentum to assume the development responsibilities to Westown.
So rather than selling off the land, a leasehold structure has been applied with Tongaat Hulett, via a new property company, retaining ownership of the land with Fundamentum owning the development rights with a rolling 99-year leasehold. Commercial end users will pay the property company a percentage of their rental.
The development will be led by Fundamentum through the construction of its own buildings as well as in partnerships, and it is in negotiation with other developers for 2 800 residential units around the shopping experience. There is also development approval for 170 000m2 of warehouses and commercial, business and office space as we a 100-bed hospital. Fundamentum also has rights on the balance of the surrounding 2000ha.
Meet and Connect with the Westown Development Team
- Rory Wilkinson – Development and Planning – rory.wilkinson@westown.co.za
- Lana Pattison – Retail Leasing – lana@fundamentum.co.za
- Paul Muir – Construction – Paul@fundamentum.co.za
- Cara Reilly – Place marketing and Communications – Cara.Reilly@westown.co.za