Property investment firm Flanagan & Gerard Property Group, with its business partners, have begun the development of a R60-million extension to Boardwalk Mall, in Gqeberha, further strengthening the centre’s position as one of the Eastern Cape’s most successful family-focused shopping and lifestyle destinations.

The new phase, which broke ground on January 19, will add 2 584 m² of gross lettable area, in addition to new leisure offerings such as padel courts, a five-a-side soccer facility and the restaurant Jacks Bagels.

Of this, 1 805 m² of new retail space will be created within the popular Sun Park.

The development is scheduled for completion, with all new tenants operational, in November.

The extended portion of the mall will be co-owned by Changing Tides, a Flanagan & Gerard company, which will hold a 60% stake, alongside Dondolo Property Trust (20%) and Emfuleni Resorts, a subsidiary of JSE-listed Sun International (20%).

Flanagan & Gerard is the developer, with MDS appointed as architects and Techni Construction as main contractor.

According to Paul Gerard, MD of the Flanagan & Gerard Group, the Boardwalk Mall expansion is a direct response to sustained demand from both national and independent retailers.

In addition to seeing strong interest from established national brands that could not be accommodated in the original development, existing tenants are seeking to grow their footprint in the mall.

“Boardwalk Mall has consistently outperformed expectations since its relaunch in September 2022, and we have reached the point where this extension allows us to respond to that demand in a way that enhances the overall experience of the centre,” says Gerard.

The company, in a media release, says the performance metrics underline the mall’s success, and its appeal to shoppers and retailers alike, noting that, for the past two December months, Boardwalk Mall has attracted more than 1.2-million customers, while the average monthly footfall is about 850 000.

December 2025 turnover reached R114-million, up from R109-million in December 2024.

The company explains that the centre has been fully let for two-and-a-half years, with 11 out of 12 months in 2025 showing positive year-on-year turnover growth and eight months recording double-digit increases.

Boardwalk Mall’s expansion will introduce new brands including Mr Price, Mr Price Home, FARO, Cape Union Mart and Polo, building on the strong performance of existing Mr Price Group and apparel tenants such as Old Khaki.

Two elements of the expansion are being delivered in phases.

The relocated Magic Company is set to open in September, ahead of the other new tenants.

The 237 m² expansion of Woolworths opened on November 21, 2025, marking a significant milestone by becoming the first Woolworths Premium Local store in the Eastern Cape.

Flanagan & Gerard says the upgraded store has been an immediate success, with footfall increasing by an impressive 67% as shoppers responded positively to its expanded offering, including 906 new food products, 35 additional bakery items and 524 new additions to the WCellar range.

“Sun International, through Emfuleni Resorts, is proud to embark on the next chapter in the evolution of Boardwalk Mall with our partners.

“This extension builds on our long-term commitment to Gqeberha and the Eastern Cape, strengthening the Boardwalk Precinct as a vibrant economic and social hub.

“We remain confident in the enduring appeal of this world-class destination for residents, businesses and visitors alike, and optimistic about the opportunities its extension will unlock for job creation, retail innovation and community growth,” says Sun International COO for hospitality and sales Nomzamo Radebe.

As well as its big-name retail drawcards, Flanagan & Gerard note that about one-third of the mall’s tenants are independent, non-national retailers, equating to about 30 of the 98 stores, all of which add to the uniqueness of Boardwalk Mall’s retail experience.

To date, the centre has supported the creation of about 1 250 jobs.

The company notes that the design of the extension will follow the same design philosophy as the existing mall to ensure aesthetic and functional continuity, maintaining the centre’s award-winning architectural character.

Flanagan & Gerard explain that another key focus of the extension is to strengthen physical and visual linkages within the centre, particularly between the existing atrium and the Checkers.

“One of the motivations for expanding into the Sun Park was to improve cross-shopping and pedestrian flow,” explains Boardwalk Mall manager Fredrick Sematimba.

“Previously, activity on that side of the mall was limited. The new configuration will create a more cohesive, intimate Sun Park environment that connects seamlessly with the rest of the centre and is activated by quality retail and leisure.”

In a connected development, the company says that the Capital Boardwalk Hotel – a landmark addition to the Boardwalk precinct – is on track to open in April.

The six-storey development will offer 145 rooms across a range of configurations, including standard rooms, studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, as well as two- and three-bedroom penthouses.

Extended-stay guests in the hotel’s apartment-style units will benefit from the convenience of self-catering, with direct access to the mall for shopping.

The company says guests and visitors can look forward to a host of amenities, many of which will be open to the public.

These include a signature restaurant seating up to 140 guests and a bar for an additional 80 patrons.

Additionally, the hotel will feature a “state-of-the-art” conference centre accommodating up to 400 guests in cinema-style, along with flexible event spaces designed for launches, meetings, workshops and private functions.

“This development reflects our commitment to redefining hospitality in South Africa's key urban nodes, and we're proud to be part of the continued evolution of the Boardwalk precinct,” says the Capital Hotels, Apartments and Resorts CEO Marc Wachsberger.

Flanagan & Gerard says the addition of The Capital Boardwalk Hotel enhances the Boardwalk precinct with a new layer of lifestyle, leisure and hospitality in one integrated offering.

The company says it will elevate the overall visitor and shopper experience with access to upscale dining, premium events and curated entertainment, such as DJ-led and live performances hosted around the restaurant and infinity pool, creating a vibrant social hub complementing the retail environment.

Looking ahead, Gerard says the focus remains on curating a balanced tenant mix that meets both commercial and community needs.

“Our goal is to continue evolving Boardwalk Mall as a place where people can shop, socialise and enjoy spending their time, rather than simply passing through.”