Sibaya Coastal City’s rapid expansion continued last week with the opening of a new lifestyle and design destination outside Umdloti.

Reefside Lifestyle & Leisure Centre opened on October 1, adding a mix of interiors, décor, wellness, convenience and food offerings to the growing precinct.

Among its anchor attractions is Weylandts Sibaya, which consolidates the furniture retailer’s former Ballito and Umhlanga operations into one multi-level store. Other tenants include Home Fabrics, Da Rocha Interiors, Kids Club and MissFit Boxing.

Before cutting the ribbon at the launch party on the eve of the opening, eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba said Sibaya forms part of a wider network of developments reshaping the city’s economic geography and N2 corridor.

“Sibaya shows what can be achieved when government and the private sector work together for growth and prosperity,” said Xaba.

He said Reefside’s construction created about 330 temporary jobs, while the completed development supports about 200 permanent jobs.

Reefside is one of several developments taking shape across Sibaya Coastal City. About 135 development sites were under active construction by September, while work on commercial office space development HQ Sibaya began in August.

Further development is also planned, including a mixed-use project featuring three luxury hotels, a conference centre and high-end retail.

Devmco Group managing director Schalk Theunissen said Reefside formed part of the broader vision for an integrated residential, commercial and lifestyle precinct.

“Reefside is important because it introduces more of the everyday infrastructure that allows that vision to work in practice. It creates a place that serves the people already here, while also drawing new activity into the region,” said Theunissen.

Ballito residents and Plato Coffee franchisees Nadia and MJ Zietsman chose the centre for the fourth branch of their popular café and said the opening weekend was well supported.

“Everything about the opening weekend exceeded our expectations,” said Nadia.