Fourways Mall, located in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, is on target to complete Phase 1 of its renovation, which is due to be completed by mid-November.

The overall renovation project is expected to take three years, during which the mall will expand into a 170 000 m2 “super regional mall”, and one of the largest in South Africa, according to the developer, Accelerate Property Fund.

Once completed, the mall will be valued at over R2-billion.

The ambitious expansion will see the surrounding centres – such as Fourways View and the existing Game building – being connected to Fourways Mall to create one space under roof that will become the megamall. The existing structures will be refurbished and upgraded, and an estimated R270-million is set to be invested in expanding and upgrading the adjacent road infrastructure.

Accelerate Property Fund CEO Michael Georgiou says there is a greater demand from consumers for convenient and easily accessible shopping, entertainment and lifestyle locations. “We plan to provide Fourways residents with a world-class megamall to ensure that everything they need is on offer close by. We are in negotiations with a number of top international brands and will be able to share further news on this later in the year.”

With the completion of Phase 1, shoppers can expect a newly renovated ground floor, known as the Lake Level, that will boast a variety of food stores, lifestyle elements and entertainment facilities. The popular Bounce Fitness Trampoline concept will also be located at Fourways Mall, with a trampoline arena located in a 4 500 m2 store.

The expanded food court will introduce new tenants, including Simply Asia, Marcel’s Frozen Yoghurt, Adega Express, Steers, Milky Lane, Debonairs and Sausage Saloon, alongside existing food tenants such as Wimpy, Ocean Basket and Diya. International food brands will be joining the Fourways Mall stable, but will not be disclosed until closer to the launch date. Local movie complex Ster Kinekor will remain in the tenant mix, as will Adventure Golf on the Lake Level.

Accelerate Property Fund states that shoppers will have easier access into the mall, with three floors of the new eight-level parkade being available from the time of the Phase 1 launch. To compensate for any inconvenience during the renovation months, golf cart transport straight into the mall will be on offer from the parking area.

“Fourways Mall has been a central part of the area for the past 20 years and is now moving into a new era to better cater for the Fourways community. It is the perfect location for South Africa’s newest megamall rivalling any other in the province,” concludes Georgiou.

The extensive expansion and refurbishment plan is expected to be completed in 2018 and will complement plans to position Fourways as a new central business district.