Fourways Mall's Bold Comeback: Here's What's Changing

Photo Cred: Fourways Mall

Fourways Mall is undergoing a revitalisation with new management, aiming to restore its former vibrancy and become a thriving community hub once again.

Johannesburg, South Africa (16 August 2024) – In the last four years, Fourways Mall has faced an uphill battle. Once a bustling hub of activity, it has struggled through a series of unfortunate events that have left it feeling a shadow of its former self. But now, with a fresh vision and new leadership at the helm, there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Maybe it’s time we give this local landmark another chance.

Growing up in Alberton, I know firsthand the impact a mall can have on a community. Alberton City was more than just a shopping destination for me—it was where I spent my childhood. I have fond memories of shopping with my mom, watching movies, enjoying dinners, and even getting my haircut there. The mall was also where my friends and I spent countless hours playing arcade games, bowling, and skateboarding in the parking lot during school holidays. In my Matric year, it felt like my entire school met at the fountain at midnight on the evening our names were published in the Newspaper – a thing that used to happen to let us know if we had passed.

I digress.

Alberton City was more than just a place to shop—it was the heart of our community.

But I also witnessed the slow deterioration of that beloved mall, and with it, the entire area began to change. The community started to venture further afield for their shopping needs, heading to The Glen or Eastgate, much further away from home. Alberton City, once a vibrant hub, has slowly lost its charm, and the bustling boulevard around it has become nearly deserted. A new mall has since sprung up nearby, which is a fantastic addition to Alberton and one I often visit when I’m in the area with family and friends. However, witnessing this transformation over the years has been deeply saddening.

When Fourways Mall completed the first phase of its massive renovation, there was a lot of excitement. But then, the unexpected happened—COVID-19 hit. The world came to a standstill, and so did the mall’s progress. Four years later, Fourways Mall, now the largest mall in South Africa, also feels like the emptiest. Vacant shops line the corridors, and even an entire aeroplane stands there, doing little more than taking up space. Social media has been unforgiving, with many lamenting the mall’s decline. Reports of significant financial losses have only added to the negative sentiment.

But all is not lost.

The mall’s new asset managers, Flanagan & Gerard and the Moolman Group, are determined to turn things around. They’ve started addressing the basics—like improving the lighting, which has been a frequent complaint online, and fixing the parking situation, another common grievance. They’re working hard to make the massive centre easier to navigate, and small changes like reintroducing music throughout the mall have already started to make it feel less empty. You may not have even noticed, but the mall has been “silent” for four years. Background music was introduced a month ago, and it is already making a world of difference.

More excitingly, they’ve begun introducing new stores, with plans to continue doing so regularly. Each month, we’ll see vacant spaces filling up with new tenants. An entire outdoor padel court section, boasting incredible views of Fourways, is set to open before the end of the year. There are also plans for a host of new restaurants, a brewery, a deli, a massive gym, and an entire wellness section. Office spaces are being introduced, which will increase foot traffic, and the iconic aeroplane area will soon be transformed into a fantastic tourist destination—a playground for young adults featuring go-karting, games, food stalls, and much, much more. Think of “Mojo Market” in Cape Town but with loads of activities added to the mix.

I’ve seen firsthand what a deteriorating mall can do to an entire area. Alberton City and the entire boulevard is still there but not what I remember. I moved to Fourways almost 20 years ago and used to frequent the “old” Fourways Mall, but for the past four years, I’ve often found myself driving to the Mall of Africa or Sandton to do what I could have done right here in our area.

With this renewed effort from the Fourways Mall team, there’s a chance to bring new life back to our neighbourhood.

This could be the last shot for Fourways Mall, and as a community, we have the power to support them in their efforts. For our area, for us, and for the potential of having a truly great centre right on our doorstep.

So here’s to hoping that we lean in, give the mall another chance, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll witness the rebirth of a local gem.

This is not a sponsored article. This is me, as a Fourways resident, supporting something that impacts our area. This is me, leaning in.