Big changes are coming to two popular Gqeberha malls

Gqeberha shoppers can expect major changes at two of the city’s best-known shopping malls as property giant Growthpoint continues investing in its Eastern Cape retail portfolio.

Growthpoint Properties has confirmed that redevelopment projects at Walmer Park Shopping Centre and Greenacres Shopping Centre form part of its broader strategy to invest in high-performing retail destinations.

The latest developments come as Growthpoint continues reshaping its South African property portfolio, selling non-core properties while directing investment towards shopping malls and other assets it believes have stronger long-term growth potential.

A R75 million makeover for popular Gqeberha mall

Walmer Park is currently undergoing a R75 million redevelopment and refurbishment, marking the eighth major upgrade in the shopping centre’s 38-year history.

The centre, which has around 43 000m² of retail space and approximately 120 stores, has remained open while construction takes place.

The redevelopment began in March 2026 and has been carried out in phases, with the first phase already bringing several new brands to the shopping centre.

Burnt Studios and Old School opened in July and are exclusive to Walmer Park in Gqeberha. Other additions include Bootlegger Coffee Company, FARO, a revamped Slops and Clogs and Cellini.

The redevelopment created a new internal mall area after fashion retailer Edgars was relocated and reconfigured, freeing up space for new retailers to enter what had been an almost fully let shopping centre.

Growthpoint said demand for the newly created retail space has been strong, with almost the entire project already let.

Gqeberha’s first Yuppiechef store is coming

The biggest changes are still to come.

The final phase of the Walmer Park redevelopment is expected to introduce Yuppiechef’s first physical store in the Eastern Cape, giving Gqeberha shoppers access to the popular homeware and kitchen retailer for the first time.

Beauty retailer ARC is also set to make its Eastern Cape debut.

Other changes will include a larger, redesigned iStore, an upgraded Cape Union Mart and a larger Totalsports in a new location.

Home improvement retailer MR.DIY is also expected to open at the centre.

The full redevelopment is currently on track for completion in November 2026, ahead of the busy festive shopping season.

Greenacres is also getting a refresh

Walmer Park is not the only Growthpoint shopping centre in Gqeberha undergoing changes.

The company’s latest full-year results confirmed that Greenacres Shopping Centre is also being redeveloped, with final completion scheduled for September 2026.

Earlier updates from Growthpoint indicated that the redevelopment included the reduction and subdivision of Edgars’ retail space to create opportunities for additional retailers.

The project forms part of Growthpoint’s wider effort to refresh its major shopping centres and adapt their retail offerings to changing shopper habits and tenant demand.

Growthpoint has recently undertaken several other major retail projects across South Africa, including the upgrade and expansion of Paarl Mall, as well as redevelopment work at malls in Gqeberha and elsewhere in the country.