Welcome to Westown
The wait is nearly over! While construction work continues on the greater Westown Precinct, Westown Square, the trigger development of the new City of the West, is about to open!
A catalyst for the development of much-needed services and economic opportunities in the region, WESTOWN offers a brand new destination for living, working, shopping, business and recreational activities within a managed, urban environment. Locally driven and guided by a team that understands the context and potential of the place, Westown focuses on the value of open space and is designed to integrate with existing outdoor and lifestyle activities that define the Shongweni/Hillcrest sub-region – horse riding, trail running, mountain biking, walking, birding and so much more.
Westown Square
Positioned between Durban and Pietermaritzburg on the N3 highway, Westown’s first phase, WESTOWN SQUARE (48 500m²), is KZN’s newest shopping, dining, and lifestyle destination in Durban’s Outer West. With exciting brands and vibrant spaces this unique high-street experience is built over three levels to be open and accessible, encouraging connection with people and the surrounding environment.
This design approach makes Westown Square different to anything else currently on offer in South Africa, with all roads (high-streets) leading to the ‘spatial heart’ of the Town Square which in turn flows into The BARN. Here, an eclectic selection of artisanal homeware, art, beauty, fashion, food and beverage outlets, sit alongside quality restaurants and niche concept eateries The Barn is also fast becoming “the place to go” in the Outer West, with a regular weekly line up of music and performances creating a vibrant lifestule destination.
On the upper level, the shop and restaurants overlook the architectural landscaped TOWN GARDENS, the children’s play areas, and THE BOWL, an open-air amphitheatre and stage area.
With Westown Square now open, the roll-out of Balwin’s Shongweni Eco-Park, Farrier Business Park, Parc Ferme and the 100-bed West Private Hospital, as well as other business, commercial and retail activities, has been put in motion.
The Westown Ethos
Durban-based Fundamentum Dev Co, whose vision and significant experience in property development, property leasing and property management has led to the development of Westown, is committed to changing the tide on mixed-use development by championing a sustainability agenda that is inclusive, environmentally sustainable, high-energy, safe and secure.
“Westown is a place – the new City of the West. A ground-breaking, locally-driven initiative that connects people with spaces and experiences, bringing new opportunities to live, work and thrive,” says Fundamentum CEO, Carlos Correia.
The open, people-centric character of Westown extends beyond the shopping environment of Westown Square, with cycling lanes and pavements ensuring people can freely move on all Westown’s streets. Universal Access is a key component of both Westown Square and Westown Precinct, with features like tactile paving being included to make it easier for the visually impaired to navigate public space.
Key to realising the architectutral design at Westown Square is the landscaping program. Conceptualised and brought to life by Lucas Uys and Ignes de Beer from Uys & White Landscape Architects, the landscaping reflect the environment and rich cultural tapestry of Shongweni.
This area is known for its old-country charm and equestrian elegance, and the landscape design honours those deep-rooted connections.
The landscaping is both indigenous and exotic, which is reflective of the old country character of Shongweni. It included the striking autumn colours of the London plain tree, the vibrant red flowers of the Flamboyant in spring and summer and the evergreen trees of the indigenous Waterpears – this is to name but a few. Complimenting these trees is a mix of indigenous grass-like flowering groundcovers. Known as KZN Fynbos, this groundcover displays different flowers throughout the year and supports the philosophy of ensuring colour and texture are present throughout the year.
In the large open outdoor spaces throughout Westown Square and the open-air courtyards, large-canopy evergreen trees have been introduced to form a soft roof over the area. In narrow and smaller courtyards seasonal trees provide shade during our hot summers while allowing sunlight to seep through the leafless branches during winter.
Mobile planters on rollers, with citrus trees and planted Chinese Maples, will add a splash of colour to the Town Square and all outdoor parking and walkways are under pergolas of vines and colourful creepers.
The Bowl amphitheatre and Children’s play area are key features of Westown Square, and here London Plains, Feather Duster trees and creeping roses of a variety of colours will bring life to the space and accommodate winter sun and summer shade. A Rose Arbor sits alongside a play area for children 3 years and up, making it a perfect venue for children’s parties.
From the choice of plants and the design of the walkways to entrance features and children’s play areas, the vision goes beyond merely building an aesthetically pleasing and green shopping space. The intention is to spark a connection between visitors and the local landscape in a way that fosters a sense of community and belonging and redefines the shopping experience.
And in a final nod to the local character of Shongweni, The Paddock on Saddle Row, is an area adjacent to Westown Square for mountain bikers and horse riders to “park” their respective modes of transport in a safe environment and go about their business or pleasure in Westown Square.
Westown Square Art Program
Westown Square may be geared for shopping, but it has been very purposefully designed to be everything ‘more than just for shopping’. The Westown Square Art Program, in part fulfills this aim, giving visitors to the space a unique visual experience.
While the Art Program has started with installations in Westown Square, the intention is that it will encompass Westown as a whole, harnessing all arts disciplines to create a multi-sensorial, globally competitive and highly marketable experience that can help define the entire culture of Westown.
“We’re so excited to introduce our first pieces of work and the artists behind the work at the opening of Westown Square, says Cara Reilly, Marking & Communications Executive for Westown. “We’re thrilled to be working with The KwaZulu-Natal Society of Arts (KZNSA) on the Art program and have the expertise of the Gallery’s Director, Angela Shaw leading the curation of the project.
Artists involved in this Phase 1 of the Art Program include: Xavier Clarisse, Sthenjwa Luthuli and Iain ‘EWOK’ Robinson. A poem The Vision of Life , by South Africa’s first poet laureate, Mazisi Kunene, is brought to life in isiZulu and English on the upper wall at entrance 5 in the Checkers forecourt.
Plans are already underway for Phase 2, with sites being identified for key installations.
WESTOWN SQUARE ENTERTAINMENT
Opens: 09:00 daily
Looking for live entertainment THE BARN is where you need to be:
• Saturday & Sunday Lunchtime: 12pm – 3pm
• Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings: 6pm – 9pm
CONTACT DETAILS:
General information
[email protected] / +27 (0)31 566 1716
Retail Leasing
Lana Pattison
[email protected] / +27 (0)83 511 4433
