Which is the biggest mall in South Africa? Fourways Mall snags it—178,202 square meters of raw retail power! South Africa’s got nearly 2,000 malls sprawled across 24 million square meters. A concrete jungle! These top 10 aren’t just big—they’re alive with stories. Johannesburg’s buzzing hubs, Durban’s coastal giants—I’ve walked their floors, soaked in the chaos. This is for business owners eyeing space, shoppers craving a spree, or investors chasing the next move. Economic storms hit hard. Competition’s brutal. Yet, these malls stand firm. Let’s unpack the titans and see what fuels them.
South Africa’s retail scene twists and turns. Inflation bites. Online shopping exploded—up 66% from 2020 to 2023. Still, these giants pull crowds. Experience? Location? Sheer will? I’m ranking them by gross lettable area (GLA)—the space that counts. Mall of Africa rules visits, not size. Gateway flexes total footprint. I’ve got the stats, the vibe, the truth—stick around!
What Makes a Mall “Big”?
GLA drives this—rentable space for tenants. More GLA, more stores, more life. Done. Foot traffic, tenant mix, and financial pulse matter too. Mall of Africa, eighth by GLA, tops crowd charts. Why? Midrand’s growth, sharp design, killer stores. I’ve woven numbers with what I’ve seen to keep this real.
Which Is the Biggest Mall in South Africa?
1. Fourways Mall, Johannesburg
- GLA: 178,202 sqm
- Location: Sandton, Johannesburg
- Stores: 400+
- Opened: 1994 (expanded 2019)
Fourways Mall towers over all—178,202 square meters! Sandton’s beast. The 2019 expansion—R3 billion, two levels, an open-air arena—rocketed it up. H&M, Checkers, local joints pack it. I’ve roamed its food court—loud, electric. Parking stretches to 2,500 bays. Shadows loom, though. September 2023 showed 15,109 square meters empty—17% vacant. A R200 million rights offer in 2024 patched it, but 2025 whispers peg vacancies at 15%+. Sandton City’s a thorn. Still, it’s massive, pulsing.
2. Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, Pretoria
- GLA: 177,000 sqm
- Location: Menlyn, Pretoria
- Stores: 500+
- Opened: 1979
Menlyn Park’s close—177,000 square meters, just 1,202 shy. Pretoria’s king! From 1979, it’s swelled to 500 stores, 8,250 parking bays. Hugo Boss, Pick n Pay, an IMAX that hits hard—I’ve watched families vanish into its orbit. The 2016 revamp added 30,000 square meters. Foot traffic never quits. Vacancies? Barely a ripple. It’s a steady giant.
3. Gateway Theatre of Shopping, uMhlanga
- GLA: 176,400 sqm (some say 220,000 sqm)
- Location: Umhlanga, Durban
- Stores: 460+
- Opened: 2001
Gateway Theatre lands at 176,400 square meters—220,000 if you buy the hype. Durban’s coastal titan! Since 2001, it’s jammed in 460 stores, 70 eateries, a wave pool, a skate park. I’ve tasted its bunny chow—pure chaos. The 18-screen cinema, IMAX included, draws hordes. Tourists flood it. Old Mutual Property keeps it tight—vacancies don’t dare show. It’s a relentless force in 2025.
4. Sandton City, Johannesburg
- GLA: 147,941 sqm
- Location: Sandton, Johannesburg
- Stores: 300+
- Opened: 1973
Sandton City’s 147,941 square meters scream luxury—Johannesburg’s crown jewel. From 50,000 square meters in 1973, it’s hit 300 stores. Gucci, Louis Vuitton, local gems shine. The 2011 expansion bulked it up—I’ve sipped coffee here, suits and shoppers clashing. Liberty Holdings polishes it. Foot traffic flows—90-minute visits average. It’s unshaken in 2025.
5. Canal Walk, Cape Town
- GLA: 147,834 sqm
- Location: Century City, Cape Town
- Stores: 400+
- Opened: 2000
Canal Walk’s 147,834 square meters rule Cape Town—solo in the top five. Since 2000, it’s packed 400 stores, 8,000 bays, a canal cutting through. Zara, vegan spots, a 4K cinema—I’ve walked its loop; it flows. Hyprop Investments holds it firm. Traffic’s strong, vacancies scarce in 2025. It’s Cape Town’s heavyweight.
6. Eastgate Shopping Centre, Johannesburg
- GLA: 142,825 sqm
- Location: Bedfordview, Johannesburg
- Stores: 300+
- Opened: 1979
Eastgate’s 142,825 square meters anchor Johannesburg’s east—1979 roots. It’s grown to 300 stores—fashion, tech, food in sync. I’ve breezed through; it’s steady, no fuss. Liberty Group steers it clean. Foot traffic holds in 2025—quiet strength.
7. Centurion Mall, Centurion
- GLA: 133,333 sqm
- Location: Centurion, Gauteng
- Stores: 260+
- Opened: 1983
Centurion Mall’s 133,333 square meters breathe open—Gauteng’s calm spot. Since 1983, it’s hit 260 stores. Woolworths, Game, Checkers ground it. I’ve shopped here—easy, light. Traffic’s solid, vacancies low. It’s a sleeper.
8. Mall of Africa, Johannesburg
- GLA: 131,038 sqm
- Location: Midrand, Johannesburg
- Stores: 300+
- Opened: 2016
Mall of Africa’s 131,038 square meters erupted in 2016—one shot, done! Midrand’s marvel—300 stores, 6,500 bays. Attacq nailed it. Pick n Pay, IMAX, insane crowds—I’ve seen the lines. It’s South Africa’s busiest by visits in 2025.
9. Pavilion Mall, Durban
- GLA: 122,768 sqm
- Location: Westville, Durban
- Stores: 200+
- Opened: 1993
Pavilion Mall’s 122,768 square meters glow in Westville—Durban’s understated star. Since 1993, it’s reached 200 stores, 5,319 bays. Fast food, bakeries hum—I’ve eaten there; it’s solid. Pareto Limited keeps it steady.
10. Cresta Shopping Centre, Johannesburg
- GLA: 114,545 sqm
- Location: Randburg, Johannesburg
- Stores: 260+
- Opened: 1977
Cresta’s 114,545 square meters wrap it—Randburg’s quirky icon since 1977. At 260 stores, it’s tight, mighty. The Crest Aquarium pulls eyes—I’ve watched fish glide; it’s odd, cool. Traffic flows, vibe’s chill in 2025.
The Bigger Picture
These malls map South Africa’s heartbeat. Gauteng’s seven—Johannesburg and Pretoria’s sprawl—lead. Durban’s duo, Cape Town’s lone wolf balance it. Fourways stumbles; Mall of Africa soars. Location’s king. Management’s key. Online retail bites—24 million square meters still stand. Mall of Africa and Gateway hit 17,000 daily vehicles in 2023—2025’s no different.
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Which is the Biggest Mall in South Africa? The Close
Which is the biggest mall in South Africa? Fourways Mall—178,202 square meters—holds the throne, dents and all. Menlyn’s a whisper behind, Gateway flexes loud. Sandton’s sleek, Cresta’s weird—they’re South Africa’s retail soul. I’ve walked them, felt the buzz. They’re cash, crowds, concrete—wild and real. That’s it, bro—malls don’t mess around!
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