WESTOWN SQUARE TURNS ONE, marking an exciting milestone for one of KwaZulu-Natal’s fastest-growing lifestyle destinations.
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.
Carlos Correia, CEO of Fundamentum Property Group, shared his appreciation, saying they are incredibly grateful to the people of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), especially those in the outer west, for their continued support over the past year. He added that while the journey has been a whirlwind and not without challenges—including ongoing road improvements and construction—the positive changes are already visible, and the community has truly embraced what Westown Square offers.
More Than Just a Shopping Centre
As WESTOWN SQUARE TURNS ONE, it has grown into more than just a retail space. It’s now a vibrant lifestyle hub where people gather and connect.
The centre blends national brands with local offerings, creating an accessible shopping experience. Growing foot traffic is driven by events, family activities, markets, and live entertainment, making it a lively destination.
To celebrate this milestone, Westown’s first birthday celebrations will roll into the Easter Weekend from 3–6 April, featuring a massive Digital Easter Egg Hunt along with family-friendly entertainment, live music, and special appearances by the Easter Bunny. Visitors from near and far are invited to enjoy everything the centre has to offer.
“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: A Strong and Diverse Offering
A key highlight as WESTOWN SQUARE TURNS ONE is its growing retail strength.
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: A Vision for Smart Living
The growth of Westown Square extends beyond retail. It now includes residential development, creating a fully integrated community experience.
Meanwhile, Balwin Properties has started construction on the first 200 units of Shongweni Eco-Park, part of the Classic Balwin Collection. Phase 1 is expected to complete late-2026 and features ground-floor apartments with private gardens, as well as upper-floor balconies.
In addition, 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. As a result, 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. Furthermore, he notes that 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.
Looking ahead, over the next five years, Balwin and Fundamentum together plan to construct close to 2,000 residential units at Westown.
What’s Next for Westown
Looking ahead, the development pipeline shows no signs of slowing down. This momentum continues as WESTOWN SQUARE TURNS ONE.
- Developers have completed detailed designs for West Private Hospital. It will be a 100-bed specialist surgical hospital adjacent to Westown Square. They expect construction to begin in the second half of 2026.
- Developers will start earthworks for Farrier Business Park in Q3 2026. The project will provide 40,000 m² of bespoke logistics and warehousing space for new tenants.
- Developers plan Westown’s first fuel station for 2027. They will proceed following regulatory approvals.
- Omoda and Jaecoo, the first motor dealerships, have paved the way for Parc Fermè. Developers will launch this dedicated motor-focused commercial scheme in 2027.
As WESTOWN SQUARE TURNS ONE, it highlights the power of thoughtful development, community engagement, and strategic growth.
With strong retail, growing residential projects, and future developments ahead, Westown Square is just getting started. The momentum continues to build.
