Something new is taking shape at one of Gqeberha’s most established shopping destinations.
Walmer Park Shopping Centre is entering the final phase of a R75 million redevelopment by Growthpoint Properties, with the full project still on track for completion in November 2026.
The transformation is already changing the retail mix at the landmark Eastern Cape centre. Phase one has been completed, bringing new brands, reimagined stores and an expanded mall area to shoppers.
And there is still more to come.
With phase two now underway, Walmer Park is preparing to welcome several major retail names before the festive trading season begins.
For Growthpoint, the investment represents more than a physical upgrade. It is a strategic reinvestment in a retail destination that continues to demonstrate strong trading performance and tenant demand.
“Walmer Park has consistently demonstrated the trading resilience and tenant demand that justify ongoing reinvestment,” says Gavin Jones, Head of Retail Asset Management at Growthpoint Properties.
“The additions to the centre’s retail mix made possible by this redevelopment will help ensure that it remains the dominant retail address in the city for years to come.”
A new retail chapter begins
Construction on the redevelopment started in March 2026, beginning with the relocation and rightsizing of fashion anchor tenant Edgars.
The new Edgars store now occupies more than 2,000 square metres in a modern retail environment. It opened at the beginning of July.
But the redevelopment has also created something particularly valuable in a centre that was already fully let: new retail space.
A new mall area has been created, giving sought-after brands an opportunity to establish a presence at Walmer Park.
Demand has been strong.
The entire redevelopment is already let and finalised, with only 100 square metres remaining.
Among the first new arrivals were Burnt Studios and Old School, both of which are available exclusively at Walmer Park in Gqeberha.
Their arrival strengthens the centre’s existing portfolio of more than 40 unique and exclusive retailers, giving shoppers access to fashion and lifestyle brands they cannot find elsewhere in the city.
The first phase has also welcomed Bootlegger Coffee Company, FARO and a newly revamped Slops and Clogs.
Meanwhile, Cadi Barbor has successfully relocated to a new position at Entrance 4, between Neovision and John Dory’s.
The final addition to phase one is Cellini, which opens at Walmer Park on 1 September 2026.
“The precision with which phase one has been delivered by Growthpoint’s development team, together with the contribution of the mall’s new and reimagined retail tenants, has been outstanding,” says Jones.
The biggest changes are still coming
Phase two began in mid-July 2026, shifting the focus towards completing the internal transformation of the centre.
One of the key elements is creating a seamless internal connection between the growing Cape Union Mart and the new Edgars location.
This will complete the new internal mall area and unlock the next wave of retail additions.
Among the most anticipated arrivals are Yuppiechef and ARC, both making their debut in the Eastern Cape.
Yuppiechef will bring its range of products designed to make the home happier, while ARC will offer local favourites alongside sought-after global luxury brands and products focused on beauty and self-care.
The redevelopment will also see the iStore move into a larger, completely redesigned new-generation store.
Cape Union Mart will receive an upgraded layout, while Totalsports will move into a larger location with an expanded variety.
All four are scheduled to open in November 2026.
Before then, shoppers will get another major addition.
MR.DIY is scheduled to open in October 2026, bringing a new retail category to Walmer Park.
The home improvement retailer, founded in Malaysia, is expanding rapidly in South Africa. Its new Entrance 3 store has been designed specifically for the concept by consolidating four smaller stores into one larger retail space.
Keeping the centre trading while transforming it
Major retail construction is challenging enough.
Doing it while a shopping centre continues operating adds another layer of complexity.
That makes the delivery of phase one particularly significant for Growthpoint.
Mark Langley, Head of Retail Development at Growthpoint Properties, says completing the first phase of the new mall area while the surrounding centre remained operational is a strong result.
“We are equally focused on delivering phase two to the same standard,” he says.
The redevelopment is the eighth upgrade in Walmer Park’s 38-year history, continuing a long-term process of keeping the centre relevant to changing shopper expectations.
The project also includes sustainability-focused improvements.
These include energy-efficient lighting, a rooftop solar installation and the continued supply of filtered borehole water to customers and tenants.
Part of a bigger Growthpoint strategy
Walmer Park is not an isolated investment for Growthpoint.
The project represents the sixth major strategic retail redevelopment undertaken by the property group recently.
Other investments include the R270 million upgrade and expansion of Paarl Mall, an additional 5MW of solar power across four malls, and internal redevelopments at Greenacres Shopping Centre in Gqeberha and Vaal Mall in Gauteng as part of right-sizing Edgars stores.
Growthpoint has also enhanced Longbeach Mall in Cape Town through the addition of a Builders Express, an upgraded Pick n Pay store and an expanded Food Lovers’ Market.
In KwaZulu-Natal, the group introduced a new Checkers Fresh X store at La Lucia Mall.
Together, these projects form part of Growthpoint’s broader strategy of directing capital towards dominant retail centres with strong trading metrics and proven potential for reinvestment.
The focus is particularly strong on key coastal metros.
Gqeberha shoppers are already taking notice
While construction continues, the response from shoppers has already been positive.
Leonie Scheepers, Centre Manager of Walmer Park Shopping Centre, says the new brands have brought fresh energy and curiosity to the centre.
“Shoppers are responding enthusiastically to the fresh variety that the new mall area already provides,” says Scheepers.
“We are proud to be bringing brands and experiences to Gqeberha that shoppers cannot find anywhere else in the city, and there is a great deal more still to come before the festive season.”
That final point may be the most exciting part of the redevelopment.
Phase one is complete.
But Walmer Park’s transformation is not finished yet.
With MR.DIY arriving in October, followed by Yuppiechef, ARC, iStore, Cape Union Mart and Totalsports in November, the centre is heading into the final months of 2026 with a significantly refreshed retail offering.
For shoppers, the result will be more than new storefronts.
It will be a broader mix of brands, larger retail spaces and new experiences in one of Gqeberha’s established retail destinations.
And as the festive season approaches, Walmer Park is getting ready to reveal the finished picture.
The R75 million transformation is entering its final stretch — and the biggest retail changes may still be ahead.
