Somerset Mall Expansion: Building Scale, Sharpening Focus

Somerset Mall opens a new chapter this month as phase one of a major expansion launched on 20 November 2025, delivering more than 5 000 m² of additional retail space and introducing 26 new stores to the Helderberg retail landscape. The development—funded and managed by Hyprop Investments—promises to expand choice, create jobs and sharpen the mall’s position as the region’s primary retail and leisure destination—while keeping the everyday shopper largely unaware of the construction work behind the scenes.

The project has been deliberately managed to minimise disruption: construction activity has been confined to the rear of the building, with no closed entrances, no disrupted parking and no compromise to the shopping experience. That operational choice has allowed Somerset Mall to maintain footfall, tenant trading and customer convenience throughout the build.

New brands, regional firsts

Phase one brings a string of firsts for the Western Cape and Helderberg region. International and local retailers making standout debuts include:

• Safari Collection — South African debut

• Napapijri — first Western Cape store

• Helderberg’s first Skechers, Anta, Lego, Bella Luna, New Balance, Burnt, Curve Gear, Nicci Boutique and JD Sports

The expansion also spotlights South African retail talent with local brands such as Bootleggers, Burnt, Colourbox, Nicci Boutique, Curve Gear and Old School joining the tenant mix.

“These openings are more than new stores — they’re new opportunities for the community,” said Nicholas Oliphant, General Manager at Somerset Mall. “It’s not just about growth in m². We view this as a way to contribute meaningfully to local economic development. This project is centred around job creation, commercial inclusion and long-term sustainability.”

Jobs, investment and local impact

Hyprop’s capital investment in the project has generated measurable economic activity. During construction, the expansion created over 1 200 jobs, spanning contractors, subcontractors and professional consultants. Once operational, the new retail footprint is expected to provide an additional 400 long-term jobs, reinforcing the mall’s wider impact on regional employment and spending.

Upgrades behind and inside the walls

Beyond new stores, Somerset Mall is upgrading existing facilities and introducing low-profile sustainability features. Improvements include:

• Floor tiling across existing space

• Bathroom renovations featuring green technology such as waterless urinals and Propel-Air toilets

• A new Rubicon Supercharger Charge Station for electric vehicles

• A newly built on-site car wash

By rolling these works into the wider upgrade programme, the mall aims to enhance the customer experience as capacity increases.

Entertainment and the road ahead

Phase two, scheduled for July 2026, will add an entertainment dimension with Freedom Interactive Park, a high-traffic recreational concept designed to combine technology and social connection. The addition signals a broader shift: Somerset Mall is not simply expanding retail area, it is broadening the precinct’s experiential offering.

“We’re not reinventing Somerset Mall; we are refining it,” said Wayne Abegglen, Portfolio Executive Western Cape of Hyprop. “We are enhancing the experience, broadening our offering and ensuring that what we build now will still feel right ten years from now.”

What shoppers can expect

When phase one opens, Somerset Mall visitors will see new store facades, fresh interiors and an expanded fashion and lifestyle mix. The rollout has been staged to ensure continuity of trade and minimal inconvenience to customers—a core promise of the project team throughout construction.

The expansion reflects regional growth and rising demand from retailers and consumers alike. With a mix of global names, sought-after firsts and homegrown brands, Somerset Mall’s latest development positions it to capture both practical shopping needs and growing appetite for leisure-led retail.