Westown development on track
Various stakeholders celebrated the one-year milestone of the start of the Westown Development.
THE construction of the Westown Development, which was launched about a year ago by the Fundamentum Property Group, along with stakeholders in the community and the eThekwini Municipality, is well underway and is set to open early in 2025.
The new City of the West is located 5km from Hillcrest, 30km from Durban Port, 50km from Pietermaritzburg and 56km from King Shaka International Airport.
Since its activation, the site has undergone upgrades, such as the upgrade of Kassier Road and the development of Shongweni Training Centre, which is set to help develop the skills of the youth in the area.
Also read: WATCH: Official launch of construction of Westown in Shongweni
Last week Wednesday, various stakeholders met to celebrate this one-year milestone and to give an update on this development, which is anticipated to generate some R15 billion in new investment over the next 10–15 years.
There was also an exclusive on-site progress viewing.
Unlocking more phases of the project
Currently, the vast 100-hectare site is a hive of activity, with local contractors Stefanutti Stocks heading up the construction work with approximately 500 people on site.
Piling, earthworks, retaining structures and the columns of Westown Square are virtually all complete, and the walls of the 50 000m² retail experience, the first project within Westown, are going up.
Carlos Correia, CEO of Fundamentum Property Group (Fundamentum) said, “As the first development activity within the greater 100ha Westown development, Westown Square completely moves away from the ‘mall concept’.
“It brings together shopping, dining, living and recreation for all ages, with a national tenant mix enhanced by local niche offerings – all within a setting that reflects the unique character and energy of Shongweni,” said Correia.
Westown is a mixed-use precinct within a managed urban environment with secured and approved development rights of approximately 520 000m² of bulk floor area; the activation of these rights began when the first sod was turned for the construction of Westown Square a year ago, in August 2022.
According to Correia, “Leasing in Westown Square has far exceeded their expectations. More than 80% of the space is already taken by some of the country’s biggest retail heavyweights, each bringing their latest generation, premium stores to the under-served Outer West for the first time, as well as a tranche of well-known national and international fashion retailers.
Also read: Kassier Road upgrade gets mixed reactions
“Today, I’m thrilled to announce the involvement of a number of other partners who are coming to Westown in various capacities.”
Correia also revealed the design and composition of what is expected to become one of Westown Square’s most popular attractions.
Working in parallel with Westown’s rapidly changing landscape, the much-needed and critical first phase of the Kassier Road upgrade is moving quickly (30% of the project is already complete) with the use of traffic by-pass roads to reduce traffic impacts and inconvenience.
The next phase of construction includes arterial access roads, bulk water and wastewater infrastructure and is due to commence shortly.
Kassier Road Phase 1A, covering the 3km section from the N3 to Milky Way (MR559), is due for completion in March 2024. Phase 1B, from the N3 Shongweni interchange heading north to the Hillcrest Hospital/Alverstone intersection, will open in advance of the official opening of Westown Square in March 2025, with The West Private Hospital, warehousing and logistics sub-precinct and the first tranche of residential units being phased in around the same time.
For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
