Westown Square – a pioneering approach to retail architecture

In the lush landscape of Shongweni, near Hillcrest outside Durban, an exciting new retail development is set to transform the way we think about shopping environments.

Westown Square, which opened to the public on 27 March 2025, is a retail lifestyle destination and a carefully crafted urban ecosystem that challenges traditional retail design paradigms.

The project was designed by MDS Architecture in a joint venture with Boogertman + Partners Durban.

"The project stands as a testament to progressive architectural thinking that prioritises human experience and community connection,” explains Donald McGillivray, partner at MDS Architecture.

Geoffrey Richards, associate at Boogertman + Partners, says, “Westown Square was designed to echo the unique character of its surroundings, offering an architectural expression that evolves naturally from the local culture and context.”

A central part of a bigger development

Westown Square and The Barn form part of the approved development rights of approximately 520 000m² of bulk floor area within Westown’s Urban Core. This retail hub will be supported by a number of interconnected precincts and experiences including residential apartments, a business park, commercial and business activities and a private hospital to be developed over the next 10 – 15 years.

Westown was developed by Fundamentum Property Group. This catalytic investment, together with over R1 billion in roads and other infrastructure currently under construction by the eThekwini Municipality in partnership with Fundamentum, has not only enabled Westown to get off the ground but will leverage a further R14bn in investment across the Westown development over the next decade.

The project started in 2016 with the purchase of land from Tongaat Hulett – similar in size to the Umhlanga Ridge new town centre on the North Coast.

Breaking the mould of typical malls

The design is fundamentally about creating an open, permeable, and accessible environment that encourages connection and interaction. This philosophy is immediately evident in the radical design departure from the enclosed, multi-level shopping centres that have dominated retail landscapes for decades.

Westown Square embraces what McGillivray calls a high-street design approach, where the boundaries between shopping, socialising, and outdoor experience blur seamlessly. The 48 000-square-meter retail core is characterised by densely planted walkways, pergola-covered seating areas, and an intentional celebration of the surrounding Shongweni green belt.

The spatial heart of the design is a central town square inspired by the way in which traditional farm buildings wrap around a courtyard. In addition to the ‘high street’ interface, various side streets and lanes converge on the square to create a vibrant gathering space.

“The somewhat irregular layout echoes the organic growth of town centres with varied forms and spaces,” says Richards.

The architectural language of Westown Square is deeply rooted in its context. Timber and steel structures are softened by extensive landscaping, creating a contemporary yet organic aesthetic that reflects the natural beauty of the region.  Large entrance trees, green screening, and carefully positioned planter boxes transform what could have been a sterile commercial environment into a living, breathing space.

At the heart of Westown Square is The Barn, an iconic structure that serves as the spatial centrepiece and ‘cultural anchor’ of the development. Shaped like a traditional barn but executed with modern architectural precision, this space provides a permanent home for local traders, embodying the development's commitment to community and local economic empowerment.

The exterior design concept for The Barn references an old farmhouse building facing a central courtyard. The Barn opens out onto The Town Square with folding sliding doors connecting the bespoke fast-food offerings, local artisanal kiosks and live music. The upper level of The Barn houses bespoke restaurants and a split-level brewery that overlooks The Town Square.

“The interior architectural vision for The Barn was designed by Sculpt Spaces Architects. It is designed around the experience of meandering through a high-street market, where shoppers can explore what’s on offer, grab something fresh to eat from a local vendor or sit and enjoy a coffee or drink while watching local musicians perform,” explains McGillivray. 

Designing for experience

The architectural approach extends beyond aesthetic considerations. The team has created a space that prioritises movement, social interaction, and lifestyle integration. "We've crafted an urban experience that responds to contemporary lifestyle needs," says Richards.

This philosophy is particularly evident in the development's open-air design, which reflects a post-pandemic preference among shoppers for spaces that feel expansive, connected to nature, and conducive to social interaction.

Walkways are intentionally wide, seating areas are strategically positioned, and the entire development feels more like a curated urban landscape than a traditional retail environment.

“The interplay between the town square, village green and children’s play areas encourages pedestrian movement, activating the ‘village’ and its streets and creating a dynamic environment in which visitors can connect with each other and to the spaces around them,” says Richards.

The development incorporates renewable energy, including solar power, rainwater harvesting and features walking and biking trails that integrate the retail space with the surrounding environment. The landscaping actively contributes to the rehabilitation of former sugarcane land into an indigenous green belt.

Fundamentum Property Group, the developers behind Westown, worked closely with local communities and traditional leaders to ensure the development respects and enhances the existing social fabric. The architectural design plays a crucial role in this approach, creating spaces that feel both familiar and aspirational.

A new model for urban development

Despite its sophisticated design, Westown Square remains deeply connected to its local context. The architectural team carefully studied the characteristics of the Shongweni area, incorporating design elements that reflect the region's natural beauty and cultural heritage. “References include the rolling hills, sugar cane fields, and, as we mentioned before, traditional farmstead buildings,” says Richards.

The result is a retail environment that feels simultaneously global in its design sophistication and distinctly local in its character. Retailers like Pick n Pay and Checkers Hyper have adapted their store designs to complement the architectural vision, creating a cohesive and harmonious environment.  There’s a large retail mix of tenants at Westown Square that includes Checkers Hyper, Pick n’ Pay, Panda, Total Ninja, Edgars, Mr.Price, Foschini, Total Sports, Sportscene, Exact, Milady’s, Studio 88, Ackermans, Pep, Incredible Connection, Dischem and Clicks to add to a large bespoke food and beverage offering such as Kalamata, Joops, Joitas, Tigers Milk, Robsons Brewery, Elephant & Co as well as Mugg & Bean, Milky Lane and Wimpy.   

Westown Square goes beyond a successful retail development and can serve as a blueprint for future urban spaces that prioritise human experience, environmental sustainability, and community connection. By challenging traditional retail design paradigms, the design team has created a space that feels less like a shopping centre and more like a vibrant, living urban quarter.

"This is about creating a destination," McGillivray concludes, "not just a place to shop, but a place to experience, to connect, and to belong."

Professional team: