Have you heard the saying, ‘the bigger, the better?” Well, South Africa is a bit more influenced by that, we guess.
South Africa has recently proved that they are no less than any other country when it comes to the number of big malls they hold. Indeed, South African malls provide one-stop shopping for anything desirable. Our list of the “Top 10 Biggest Malls in South Africa” is dependent on the amount of GLA (Gross Leasable Area).
Over the past few years, we have been witnessing overall development in every nook and corner of the world and each country seems to be competing with each other to build expansive malls. Recently, there has been a trend where building malls is considered a symbol of growth.
For some people, a mall is just a place where they hang out, but for others, a mall is everything that they seek. It was a place where people used to go shopping, and chit-chat with friends. But today, a mall has a better definition. It is no more a humble market but a colossal structure including posh department stores, entertainment centers, theatres, and more.
Anyway, let’s see which are the top 10 biggest malls in South Africa.
List Of Top 10 Biggest Malls In South Africa
- Fourways in Johannesburg
- Menlyn Park Shopping Centre
- Gateway Theatre of Shopping
- Canal Walk in Cape Town
- Sandton City South Africa
- Eastgate Shopping Centre
- The Pavilion
- Mall of Africa
- Centurion Mall
- Westgate in Johannesburg
Get ready to explore the list of the biggest malls in South Africa that will let you get lost in a world away from your worldly dwellings.
1. Fourways in Johannesburg
Fourways in Johannesburg is the biggest mall in South Africa so far with a retail size of 178,000 square meters. Until very recently, Fourways was the third biggest mall in South Africa, but after the renovation, it became the biggest, astounding the South African residents and other visitors.
The massive mall boasts over 8,000 parking bays and 400 stores including vast supermarkets, and large electronics stores.
It is interesting fact to know that the owners of this biggest South African mall are Accelerate Property Fund and Azrapart.
The name of the mall indicates its location which is in the Fourways suburb of Johannesburg in South Africa. It is one of the favorite spots in South Africa as the mall is a popular destination that offers a wide range of entertainment options and of course, shopping centers.
If you plan to visit the biggest mall in South Africa, then consider the weekdays as Fourways will be closed on Sundays and open every other day from 9 am to 8 pm.
2. Menlyn Park Shopping Centre
Menlyn Park Shopping Centre has been the second-biggest mall in South Africa for a while now. Regardless of who is renovating and who is pushed behind, Menlyn Park Shopping Centre seems bothered about everything that matters to the other biggest shopping malls in South Africa.
Now, do you know why Menlyn Park Shopping Centre is the premier destination for a top-notch shopping experience? The mall offers high-end products and services which easily persuade anyone who visits there once, making them a regular customer there.
The shopping center has 16 parking entrances with 8,000 parking bays and it runs approximately 500 stores which complete 500 different needs of the next customers. Regardless of what your shopping list is, the center will fulfill all of them, be it fashion trends, home decor, or electronics.
The easy accessibility to the mall is also one of the likely reasons why people prefer Menlyn Park Shopping Centre over the others.
3. Gateway Theatre of Shopping
Gateway Theatre of Shopping which is located in the Umhlanga Rocks was the biggest mall in South Africa until Fourways was renovated.
Managed by Excellerate Real Estate Services Ltd. and owned by Old Mutual Property, Gateway Theatre of Shopping has roughly 430 stores and 12,000 parking lots, which is quite impressive.
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It features 70 eateries, and top-level fashion stores like Cotton On, La Coste, Armani Exchange, and Vans. Not only that, but it also encourages local South African retailers.
Further, the Gateway Theatre of Shopping possesses a virgin active gym and a string of cosmetic shops. Its dining is dreamy with a variety of food served. If you are currently in South Africa or you are a South African, then what are you waiting for? Don’t miss the best in dining and retail.
4. Canal Walk in Cape Town
The next on the list of the top 10 biggest malls in South Africa is Canal Walk Shopping Centre which is located in Cape Town. With a mix of local as well as international products, Canal Walk has struggled since 2000 to earn the fame it holds today.
Apparently, the mall has nearly 400 stores, including those in the dining, entertainment, and shopping sectors. Also, they have cinemas, which attract more people.
Owned by the popular Ellerine Boss and Hyprop Investment, Canal Walk stands tall and wide in Cape Town, South Africa, and is one such mall that is deserving of being mentioned in our list of the top 10 biggest South African malls
We won’t take the name of any malls under this catalog when they are not big enough to make you stop and stare. Canal Walk is one such mall that has the capacity to make people enter it by displaying its towering structure.
5. Sandton City South Africa
Sandton City is a top-notch mall that is located in the Santron Central Management District in Johannesburg. With over 300 stores, Sandton City South Africa is one of the biggest malls in South Africa.
Since the location itself is quite popular, Sandton City gained enough traction in a short period of time after it was launched. The extra massive structure is owned by Pareto and Liberty Holdings.
And do you know that Sandton City South Africa has a wide option of shopping that varies from clothing to home appliances? Moreover, their food court has the capacity to hold thousands of visitors at once.
Imagine how enormous that would be. When Sandton City is so huge, how can we exclude it from our list of the top 10 biggest malls in South Africa?
However, you can visit the mall anytime from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
6. Eastgate Shopping Centre
Eastgate Shopping Centre is the second mall on our list of the top 10 greatest malls in South Africa that is owned by Liberty Holdings Ltd. What is different about Eastgate Shopping Center is that the customers will dial the call center and order whatever they want.
Once the payment is done, they can collect their purchased items from the rooftops. That way, the hustle for purchasing is minimized by the Eastgate Shopping Centre to a large extent.
Plus, the wifi needed for the customers to make the choice on what they should do by exploring their website is also provided by the mall, meaning Eastgate Shopping Centre provides free wifi as well.
Apart from that, Eastgate has a separate area for kids where rides and other entertainment are arranged. If you’re looking for the best place for kids, look no further; you’ve come to the right place. You can also have fun shopping as well as roaming around the vast mall, which is recognized as one of the biggest malls in South Africa.
7. The Pavilion
In seventh place is the 273 storied Pavillion Shopping Centre, which is another of the biggest malls. The Pareto-owned structure is located along the Durban Shortline. With more than 5000 parking bays, The Pavilion is certainly one of South Africa’s biggest malls.
Since the Pavillion is in South Africa, the astounding European design of the building is highly adored by South Africans. It’s a big reason why The Pavilion has gotten so much attention in South Africa.
Plus, it is obliged to provide an excellent shopping experience to its customers. With its gigantic exterior and well-maintained interior, it is a matter of fact that the Pavillion is not only one of the biggest malls in South Africa but also the most attractive mall in the country.
It is easy to set up a visit to The Pavilion at the mall located in town, which makes transportation easier. Also, it is a unique spot that you can consider for a walk around or even for relaxation.
8. Mall Of Africa
It would have been a shame if the Mall of Africa was excluded from the list of the greatest malls in South Africa. However, the Mall of Africa saved the country from being defamed as it is one of the biggest South African malls.
It is a premier shopping destination that is equally preferred by men and women, as well as kids. As one of the biggest malls in South Africa, the Mall of Africa has become famous around the world.
Most probably, its name must have also contributed to its popularity. Anyway, the mall keeps you engaged throughout the day as it has several entertaining areas other than fashion stores.
In short, The Mall of Africa is a one-stop destination where you can complete the shopping for your entire family. It’s better if we do not talk about the amenities there as they are limitless. You should check the variety of stores in the Mall of Africa so that you won’t miss one of the most extraordinary shopping experiences.
9. Centurion Mall
Unlike any of the aforementioned South African malls, the Centurion Mall offers an open-air shopping experience. With that being said, you must have thought that the Centurion mall is a single-story building, whereas the truth is something else.
The Centurion Mall has multiple floors, each filled with hundreds of stores, including clothing stores, cafes, and other amenities.
It is the structure of the Centurion Mall that has made it famous throughout the country. It’s a different level of experience to shop in the open air, and if you can visit South Africa, then you must definitely include this biggest mall in South Africa on your bucket list.
They offer both local and international products as well as a number of dining and entertainment options. It would be nice if you plan for a friends’ get-together at the Centurion mall, where you could hang out with your dear buddies and buy each other nice and attractive dresses.
10. Westgate in Johannesburg
Opened in 1985, the Westgate Mall will complete 38 years as of 2023. People swoon over the mall due to its jaw-dropping interior. Most probably, the Westgate Mall could be the most perfect-looking mall in the entire list of the top 10 biggest malls in South Africa.
It is located in the West Rand region of Johannesburg, and it also owns the title of one of the biggest malls in Johannesburg. The shopping mall is managed by Pareto Limited Group, which is doing a wonderful job catering to a wide range of stores.
Whether you are looking for local stores or international stores, both will be available under one roof.
Conclusion
Simply put, South Africa is home to as many malls including ten of South Africa’s biggest malls. These malls have literally taken over the responsibility to entertain their visitors, and they have also been heavily contributing to the economy of the country.
These biggest malls in South Africa are more like recreation centers and offer you a unique shopping experience.
Moreover, these world-class malls are more than enough to call South Africa a developing country, which is one of the major plus points that the nation has gained over a long period of time.
