Fourways Mall is proving that a phoenix can indeed rise from the ashes – and in this case, it’s bringing new lights, more stores, and even a plane with it.

• The northern Johannesburg retail giant has taken bold and decisive steps to reclaim its status as a cornerstone of lifestyle and shopping.
• After years of uncertainty and under-performance, the past 12 months have seen a resounding shift in fortunes for the centre.
• With 20’783 square metres of new retail space leased and over 150 tenant renewals secured, the mall is in comeback mode.
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Leading this transformation is the team from Flanagan & Gerrard and The Moolman Group, brought in to redirect the mall’s future at a time when the tenant exodus looked near irreversible. As John Holley, Director at Flanagan & Gerrard, puts it, this wasn’t just another project – it was a challenge that called for agility, belief, and hours of relentless work. John shared how the mall was teetering on the brink, with up to 50’000 square metres of space at risk of going dark.

Their team had to not only create a vision for Fourways Mall but also sell it – to tenants, to landlords across the precinct, and to shoppers themselves. That vision has now begun to materialise in tangible, meaningful ways. Perhaps the most emotionally charged return is that of Spur, the iconic South African family restaurant that’s been missing from the line-up for nearly a decade. Its comeback has been met with overwhelming support from the community, highlighting just how valuable familiar, comforting experiences are in the shopping mix.

But Spur is just one of many names energising the tenant list. Huawei, Levisons, Mochachos, Pet Shop Science, and local brand ZuluZenith have joined the fold, offering everything from electronics to pet essentials to proudly South African fashion. Financial services have also been repositioned for convenience, with African Bank and Travelex now easier to access.

This tenant revitalisation strategy is closely tied to understanding the evolving Fourways shopper. This audience isn’t just here for a quick in-and-out – they’re after lifestyle, experience, quality, and a sense of place. That’s why the upgrades haven’t stopped at store openings. The entire Fourways Mall experience has been refined, with brighter lighting, updated signage, intuitive navigation, a user-friendly e-hailing drop-off zone, and a stronger focus on safety. A revamped parking system and better-managed access points are just some of the improvements designed to welcome shoppers back.

Crucially, these changes aren’t happening in isolation. John detailed how his team engaged with other landlords in the area to make broader improvements across the Fourways precinct. From fixing traffic signals – many now off-grid thanks to a Business Improvement District initiative – to boosting security through partnerships with Fidelity, to planting 500 donated trees in collaboration with Johannesburg Parks, the effort to elevate the entire node has been as important as anything happening within the mall’s walls.

At the heart of Fourways Mall, a long-dormant icon is also being brought back to life. The airplane that was famously craned into the mall years ago is finally being refurbished and incorporated into a revitalised, vibrant precinct. Once a dusty relic, the plane is now becoming a symbol of the mall’s rebirth – something for visitors to marvel at, interact with, and remember.

The drive to become more than just a shopping centre is clear in the kind of amenities being added. The newly launched Match Padel courts, perched on the rooftop with views over the West Rand, are already proving a hit. These eight courts, complete with a café and relaxed spectator vibe, tap into the surge in interest around social sports. Health and wellness are also big on the agenda, with High Performance Training (a Hyrox-affiliated studio), Beauty on Tapp, The Fitz and Wellness Warehouse rounding out a strong fitness and well-being offering.

There’s more to come. Fourways Mall will soon be home to Total Ninja, Urban Playground, Planet Fitness and Bloc 11 – venues that promise excitement for everyone from toddlers to teens to adults chasing an active, engaging lifestyle. This commitment to creating a multi-purpose retail and leisure space aligns with a growing trend toward malls being places of community and discovery, not just consumption.

Centre Manager Juan Palm is optimistic about what lies ahead. He sees the uptick in footfall, the returns on tenant performance, and the increasing confidence from consumers as signs that Fourways Mall is recovering. From a walkabout, Fourways Mall is finding its groove again. It looks to no longer just be a place to shop but an evolving hub of lifestyle, leisure, and local pride. And while there’s more to do, more tenants to secure, more spaces to refine, one thing is certain: Fourways Mall looks cleared for take-off.

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