Menlyn Park Shopping Centre in Pretoria holds the record for the most stores, operating with approximately 434 retail outlets despite ranking as the country’s second-largest mall by floor space. The shopping centre spans roughly 177,000 square metres of gross lettable area, sitting just behind Fourways Mall, which measures 178,000 square metres.
Construction History and Early Expansions in Pretoria East
Old Mutual Properties funded the initial construction of Menlyn Mall in 1979 to serve the growing population in Pretoria East. The retail centre was originally much smaller before experiencing multiple expansion phases over the decades. BILD Architects spearheaded subsequent growth to accommodate rising foot traffic in the mall, followed a decade later by a partnership with the American design firm Development Design Group.
Menlyn Mall Underwent an R800 Million Redevelopment
Menlyn Mall underwent an R800 million redevelopment in the year 2000 to expand both its floor space and store count. This overhaul increased the shopping centre’s floor area to roughly 118,000 square metres, housing 300 stores. Several groups acclaimed the project as innovative, specifically noting its new features and the inclusion of a large tent-like structure.
The R2.5 Billion Multi-Stage Refurbishment by Pareto
Between 2014 and 2016, property investment firm Pareto executed a major R2.5 billion refurbishment that brought Menlyn Park Shopping Centre to its current 177,000 square metres of gross lettable area. Workers completed the project in two stages, converting areas previously earmarked for hosting events into a food court while adding a dedicated fashion section. Current property owner Pareto confirms the mall features anchor tenants such as Woolworths, Checkers, and H&M, alongside its 434 total stores.
Fourways Mall Expanded to Exceed Menlyn in Size
While Menlyn Park briefly held the record for being the largest mall in South Africa, expansion work at Fourways Mall saw it take the crown in 2019. Located in the northern part of Johannesburg, Fourways Mall expanded its 32-year-old footprint to 178,000 square metres of gross lettable area—exceeding Menlyn by 1,000 square metres. Fourways Mall houses approximately 350 stores according to its website, giving it fewer individual retailers than Menlyn Park despite its larger floor area.
New Luxury Dining Additions in Johannesburg
Fourways Mall is undergoing additional construction for a new luxury restaurant attached to the centre. Strategic asset manager Flanagan & Gerard noted that the R100 million adjacency aims to capitalize on the high-end dining sector in the Fourways area, featuring sweeping views of the surrounding neighbourhood once finished.
Frequently Asked Questions About South Africa’s Largest Malls
When was Menlyn Park Shopping Centre originally built?
Construction on the original, much smaller retail centre began in 1979 under the funding of Old Mutual Properties to serve Pretoria East.
How many stores operate inside Fourways Mall?
Fourways Mall houses approximately 350 stores across its 178,000 square metres of gross lettable area.
What was the cost of the 2014-2016 refurbishment at Menlyn Mall?
Property investment firm Pareto invested approximately R2.5 billion to complete the multi-stage expansion and refurbishment.