Westown is all set to be the new economic hub for Durban’s Outer West. Developed by the Fundamentum Property Group, it is expected to generate some R15 billion in investment over the next 10 to 15 years. JANE MAYNE spoke to the CEO of Fundamentum Property Group, Carlos Correia, about this ground-breaking project.
This benchmark development is a massive undertaking – what sets it apart?
The entire project was a team effort from the beginning. Without eThekwini Municipality, Westown would never have become a reality. The challenges with Tongaat Hulett over the past few years left a vacuum of infrastructure development and the City stepped in.
Our approach on Westown is different to anything we’ve done before. We were originally planning a 75 000m² mall on the site; the impact of Covid on the business environment, as well as global changes in the way people used space, made us re-look things and ultimately changed our minds.
A development such as this only happens with forward vision – who conceptualised it?
Fundamentum already had a solid track record in the property development, property leasing and property management sector, mostly in the small retail/ shopping centre space. We could see that retail was changing. So we took a step back and relooked the entire precinct and our approach to retail design.
The outcome, was to build a retail environment to human scale and the high-street shopping experience of Westown Square was born. We are committed to changing the tide on mixed-use development by championing a sustainability agenda that is inclusive, environmentally sustainable, high-energy, safe and secure.
Westown Square is the trigger project within the greater 100ha Westown Urban Core – the first development activity within the 1500ha Shongweni Urban Development Framework.
The Durban locale is proving to be a hotspot for investment, with tantalizing returns – can you share some investment figures?
The current investment into the Westown urban core is R1.4 billion for Westown Square itself, R2 billion by Balwin Properties for the Shongweni Eco Park residential estate, and a R600 million commitment from our development consortium for The West Private Hospital – excluding any further top structure investment. If we look beyond the Westown Urban Core the overall investment in Westown, will be higher than the R15 million. In response to the demand for residential, we have begun the development planning process for the next phases of Westown including the Lakes Precinct – a significant investment in residential. Then we have the R733 million investment in bulk infrastructure – R600 million from the eThekwini Municipality over 3 years and R133 million from Fundamentum. There is also SANRAL’s investment in the N3 Corridor of R20 billion, over five years, hugely significant and currently the biggest infrastructure investment in the country.
Can you expand on this public/private partnership with eThekwini Municipality – obviously the venture will be gainful for the region as a whole?
Westown is a place – 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. It really is an excellent example of how public partnerships can work successfully for all involved, with the government being proactive instead of reactive and ahead of the curve in order to attract investment.
What kind of design brief was MDS Architecture given regarding style, ambience, and fusion of key features?
To develop a ‘new urban city within a city’. A high-street retail shopping environment, with a strong emphasis on family entertainment and the creation of spaces that would support local art, culture, music and product. A shopping centre offering much more than shopping.
This design approach makes Westown Square different to anything else currently on offer in South Africa, with all roads (high-streets) leading to the ‘spatial heart’ of the Town Square which in turn flows into The BARN. Here, an eclectic selection of artisanal homeware, art, beauty, fashion, food and beverage outlets, sit alongside quality restaurants and niche concept eateries The Barn is also fast becoming “the place to go” in the Outer West, with a regular weekly line up of music and performances creating a vibrant lifestyle destination.
On the upper level, the shop and restaurants overlook the architectural landscaped TOWN GARDENS, the children’s play areas, and THE BOWL, an open-air amphitheatre and stage area.
The open, people-centric character of Westown extends beyond the shopping environment of Westown Square, with cycling lanes and pavements ensuring people can freely move on all Westown’s streets. Universal Access is a key component of both Westown Square and Westown Precinct, with features like tactile paving being included to make it easier for the visually impaired to navigate public space.
Key to realising the architectutral design at Westown Square is the landscaping program. Conceptualised and brought to life by Lucas Uys and Ignes de Beer from Uys & White Landscape Architects, the landscaping reflects the environment and rich cultural tapestry of Shongweni.
This area is known for its old-country charm and equestrian elegance, and the landscape design honours those deep-rooted connections.
The landscaping is both indigenous and exotic, which is reflective of the old country character of Shongweni. It included the striking autumn colours of the London plain tree, the vibrant red flowers of the Flamboyant in spring and summer and the evergreen trees of the indigenous Waterpears – this is to name but a few. Complimenting these trees is a mix of indigenous grass-like flowering groundcovers. Known as KZN Fynbos, this groundcover displays different flowers throughout the year and supports the philosophy of ensuring colour and texture are present throughout the year.
In the large open outdoor spaces throughout Westown Square and the open-air courtyards, large-canopy evergreen trees have been introduced to form a soft roof over the area. In narrow and smaller courtyards seasonal trees provide shade during our hot summers while allowing sunlight to seep through the leafless branches during winter.
Mobile planters on rollers, with citrus trees and planted Chinese Maples, will add a splash of colour to the Town Square and all outdoor parking and walkways are under pergolas of vines and colourful creepers.
The Bowl amphitheatre and Children’s play area are key features of Westown Square, and here London Plains, Feather Duster trees and creeping roses of a variety of colours will bring life to the space and accommodate winter sun and summer shade. A Rose Arbor sits alongside a play area for children 3 years and up, making it a perfect venue for children’s parties.
From the choice of plants and the design of the walkways to entrance features and children’s play areas, the vision goes beyond merely building an aesthetically pleasing and green shopping space. The intention is to spark a connection between visitors and the local landscape in a way that fosters a sense of community and belonging and redefines the shopping experience.
And in a final nod to the local character of Shongweni, The Paddock on Saddle Row, is an area adjacent to Westown Square for mountain bikers and horse riders to “park” their respective modes of transport in a safe environment and go about their business or pleasure in Westown Square.
The development’s position on the N3 offers a strategic logistics advantage – how far along is occupancy rates for warehousing and logistics services?
This national initiative including the N3 SANRAL upgrade and the SIPP2 Corridor, has created many new opportunities, such as the need for logistics and warehousing precincts to service the Durban Harbour.
We have massive interest in our spaces at Westown, but we had to complete the massive infrastructure upgrade first ie. the building of key road infrastructure, water and waste water treatment works and electricity. This essential first phase lays the foundation for whats to come.
We’ve also just announced our first ‘acquisition opportunity’ at Westown (based on a rolling, perpetual 99-year leasehold model along similar lines to the very successful Watefall development in Midrand, Gauteng) to develop an integrated Commercial and Fuel Station site within Westown, 500m from the N3 with Kassier Rd frontage.
How many units of Balwin’s Shongweni Eco Park have been completed?
Westown’s first residential development, the R2 billion Shongweni Eco Park, was launched at the Balwin Properties Sales POD in Westown Square on 27 March, 2025. Completion of the 1st phase of this lifestyle estate is slated for early 2026, and will include ground floor apartments with private gardens and spacious balconies on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors.
Part of the Classic Balwin Collection, each apartment comes fitted with double parking and key appliances such as a DEFY electric oven and hob; a Refrigerator; a Washing machine, a Dishwasher and a fibre-ready connection. As a 6-star Green Star-rated lifestyle estate SHONGWENI ECO-PARK features amenities such as a swimming pool, indoor padel facility, training gym, cafe, laundromat and children’s play area.
Over the next few years, 1,260 apartments will be built, in 25 phases, signalling the first of 3,000 units to be built in the Westown Urban Core. Over time, a total of 20 000 residential units of various sizes and styles will bring a rich residential element to Westown.
The first opening phase was on 27 March – what all came on stream?
* Over 120 tenants took beneficial occupation and began preparing their stores.
* We are excited to announce our Fashion Walk which will open as a second phase.
* Whilst restaurants are working against the clock, some restaurants are delayed in their opening. We expect daily openings over the next few weeks.
* Despite the constant rain we have been focussed on completing all the roads into and around Westown.
Why are mixed-use precincts so popular in urban nodes?
Mixed-use precincts are definitely, the way of the future. This approach to development makes for more efficient use of all aspects of the development process – from land-use management, to economies of scale for internal and bulk infrastructure etc.
How do you see urban development evolving in the next 10 years?
Urban development is changing and it’s affecting development and investment. It’s becoming more decentralised. People are taking back control of their living environments and relying less and less on ‘government’ / municipalities to provide everything. With more people moving into urban areas, the existing systems are not coping, so residents/ ratepayers want to live in areas where their environment and the efficient delivery of essential services ,are within their control. This is what we are offering at Westown.
You’ve been involved in residential, retail, and commercial property – what insights have you gleaned?
I’m older and more grumpy J but still love the challenge of doing something different. Technology has been a game-changer & is making it easier for us to do things differently. For example, in my early days, I used to walk a site from top to bottom; you had to be there to monitor progress, make decisions etc. Now, meetings can be done online, drones and other computer/ tech tools can speed up decision-making and general management issues.
It’s a competitive market, what sets Fundamentum apart?
After almost 30 years in the business, primarily in developing and disadvantaged areas, I still have huge belief in Durban & the region/ KZN. I’m privileged to work with a team that lives, eats and breathes property … they inspire me.
For Westown directions, see here.
