Page 6 - Business Sense 11.1 (Virosha Pillay)- eBook
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NEW GO-TO


                                                                  DESTINATION PREPARES



                                                                  FOR ITS GRAND DEBUT


                                                                  IN MARCH 2025!




                                                                          brand-new urban         Connection, The IV Bar, Zende   “The collaboration between
                                                                          heartbeat is coming     Handmade Creations, Total     Fundamentum and the City
                                                                          t
                                                                    A o Shongweni, and            Ninja, Sorbet Group, Mr       of eThekwini highlights the
                                                                    the countdown has begun!      Price Home, Flowers &         importance of public-private
                                                                    Westown, the highly anticipated   Leaves and Spec-Savers.   partnerships in unlocking
                                                                    mixed-use development, is set   The diverse restaurants     infrastructure investment,”
                                                                    to unveil its first phase on 27   and cafés include Spur Steak   Macpherson added. “The
                                                                    March 2025, transforming the   Ranches, Noble Coffee,       public sector alone cannot
                                                                    Outer West of eThekwini into   Robsons Real Beer, Elephant   finance or construct large-
                                                                    a vibrant hub of retail, lifestyle,   and Co., Joita’s, and Dukkah   scale infrastructure projects.
                                                                    business, and leisure.        Restaurant & Bar.             This is why agencies such as
                                                                     Leading this transformative   Westown isn’t just about     Infrastructure South Africa
                                                                    project is Westown Square, a   retail—it’s about a new      (ISA) play a crucial role in
                                                                    dynamic 50,000m² retail and   way of living, working, and   driving investment nationwide.”
                                                                    lifestyle precinct that seamlessly   experiencing the Outer West.   To date, the City of eThekwini
                                                                    blends urban energy with      Conveniently located just off the   has committed R594 million
                                                                    Shongweni’s natural beauty.   N3 highway, this development is   to bulk infrastructure for the
                                                                     Designed by MDS Architecture   set to be the region’s new central   project, reinforcing the belief that
                                                                    in partnership with Boogertman   hub, linking Hillcrest, Kloof,   developments like Westown can
                                                                    and Partners KZN, Westown     and surrounding areas with a   serve as blueprints for economic
                                                                    Square prioritises open spaces,   vibrant, modern urban core.   growth across South Africa.
                                                                    social engagement, and an      This vibrant precinct will   A catalyst for growth and
                                                                    immersive lifestyle experience.   pave the way for further   innovation
                                                                     Unlike traditional shopping   developments, including       The launch of Westown Square
                                                                    centres, Westown Square will   residential communities,     marks the beginning of an
                                                                    offer an open-air experience,   business parks, and healthcare   ambitious decade-long vision
                                                                    where bustling retail spaces   facilities. Already, The West   for Shongweni. According to
                                                                    meet inviting green walkways,   Private Hospital, Farrier   Fundamentum CEO Carlos
                                                                    creating a unique environment   Business Park, and the highly   Correia, the investment and
                                                                    for shopping, dining, and     anticipated Shongweni Eco-Park   collaboration behind Westown
                                                                    entertainment. The Town Centre,   by Balwin are in the pipeline,   have unlocked significant
                                                                    Town Gardens, amphitheatre,   promising a truly integrated and   opportunities for Durban and
                                                                    and children’s play areas will   forward-thinking urban space.  KwaZulu-Natal.
                                                                    provide vibrant and welcoming   Government and private sector
                                                                    spaces for families and visitors   collaboration fuels growth  “Without the City’s
                                                                    alike. Whether grabbing a                                   facilitative investment, the
                                                                    morning coffee at a trendy café,   The R15 billion development   land Westown occupies would
                                                                    unwinding in a landscaped     has been hailed as a model    still be sugarcane fields,
                                                                    park, or enjoying an evening   of successful public-private   offering no financial, social, or
                                                                    out, Westown Square will offer   collaboration. Minister of   environmental returns,” said
                                                                    something for everyone.       Public Works & Infrastructure,   Correia. “We are incredibly
                                                                                                  Dean Macpherson, who visited   optimistic about Durban and
                                                                     The precinct will feature a   the site in January alongside   KZN as premier investment
                                                                    central market hub known as   KwaZulu-Natal Public Works    destinations and proud to be
                                                                    The Barn. This curated space   & Infrastructure MEC         leading this wave of tangible
                                                                    will showcase local artisans,   Martin Meyer and eThekwini   opportunity and growth.”
                                                                    farmers, and boutique traders,   Deputy Mayor Zandile Myeni,
                                                                    fostering a sense of community   emphasised the project’s    As Macpherson noted, the
                                                                    and authenticity. “The Barn is   transformative potential.  development has already
                                                                    designed around the experience                              created 1,000 construction jobs
                                                                    of meandering through a high   “When I was appointed as     over the past 18 months, with
                                                                    street market, where shoppers   Minister of Public Works &   another 8,500 permanent jobs
                                                                                                  Infrastructure in July last year,
                                                                    can explore what’s on offer, grab   I stated that my goal over the   expected upon completion. This
                                                                    something fresh to eat from a   next five years would be to turn   represents a significant boost
                                                                    local vendor or sit and enjoy a   South Africa into a construction   for the local economy and an
                                                                    coffee or drink while watching   site. This can only be realised   improved quality of life for
                                                                    local musicians perform in    through partnerships with the   many households in Durban’s
                                                                    the central atrium,” says Lana   private sector to unlock further   Outer West.
                                                                    Pattison divisional director   investment, as demonstrated by   Whether you’re a shopper, a
                                                                    of retail leasing for Westown   the Westown development,” said   business owner, a nature lover,
                                                                    developers, Fundamentum       Macpherson. “The R15 billion   or someone simply looking
                                                                    Property Group.               project is a prime example of   for a fresh, modern space to

                                                                     From national brands to      how this can be achieved.”    explore, Westown is set to be
                                                                    bespoke local offerings,       Since construction began in   your new go-to destination. So,
                                                                    Westown promises a diverse    October 2022, nearly 75% of   get ready for something truly
                                                                    shopping experience catering   Phase 1 has been completed,   special because come 27 March
                                                                    to a broad audience. Among the   including road upgrades, bulk   2025, Westown is officially
                                                                    tenants are:                  infrastructure installations,   open for business, open for life,
                                                                     Checkers Hyper, Edgars, Pick   and extensive landscaping and   and open for the future!  
                                                                    n Pay, Clicks, Dis-Chem Health,   parking areas within Westown
                                                                    MTN, Telkom, Incredible       Square.                       www.westown.co.za




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