1,200 apartments coming next to popular shopping mall in South Africa’s capital city
An R850 million apartment development with 1,200 rental homes, Menlyn Park Apartments, is taking shape next to Menlyn Park Shopping Centre.
Developed by Divercity Urban Property Group and Pareto Limited, the building is set on a 4.2-hectare site next to the shopping centre.
The project will transform the former Menlyn Office Park into a large rental housing complex.
Rather than demolishing the existing buildings entirely, the developers will convert them into apartments and supplement these with newly constructed residential blocks.
The converted office building will provide 550 apartments. This will be integrated with newly constructed apartment blocks, which will add another 650 apartments to the development.
Divercity CEO Carel Kleynhans said the approach would allow the project to make use of existing buildings while adding the density and facilities required for a larger residential community.
“Menlyn presents an unusual opportunity to work with an established site rather than starting from scratch,” he said.
“The existing buildings can be adapted to provide a significant portion of the new homes, while the new-build component allows us to create the additional density and amenities needed for a substantial residential community.”
Kleynhans said the focus was on creating rental homes in a location where residents could live close to the services and opportunities they use daily.
The former office park’s mature trees and established green spaces will also be incorporated into the development.
These will be complemented by landscaping, walking routes and private garden areas, creating shared outdoor spaces for residents.
The project is being developed as a residential precinct rather than simply a collection of apartment blocks. It will include facilities intended to support both working from home and socialising within the development.
Amenities and mall access
Construction is progressing on the first phase of Menlyn Park Apartments, which includes Blocks 1 to 3.
This phase remains on track for completion in mid-2027. The rest of the development is expected to be delivered through early 2028.
The phased approach will allow the 1,200 apartments to be delivered in stages as the former office buildings are converted and new residential blocks are completed.
Residents will have access to a clubhouse and swimming pool, a gym, dedicated workspaces, braai pods, roof terraces and lounge areas.
Ithemba Property Management has been appointed to manage the completed residential precinct.
The development is immediately adjacent to Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, which covers 174,553m² and houses more than 430 stores.
The mall offers retail outlets, restaurants, a gym and various services within walking distance of the apartments.
The location also provides access to public transport and other amenities in the wider Menlyn area.
The proximity to the shopping centre means that residents will have easy access to grocery shopping, dining and other everyday activities.
The development also adds residential capacity to an established commercial node, which can help support activity beyond traditional shopping and office hours.
The development forms part of the broader transformation of Menlyn into a mixed-use precinct, bringing residential properties closer to established retail, transport links, employment opportunities and other amenities.
Pareto Group CEO Malose Kekana explained that the project represents the next stage in the development of the Menlyn precinct.
“The redevelopment of the former office park allows us to reposition an existing property for the next stage of Menlyn’s growth,” he said.
“Introducing residential alongside an established retail destination creates a more connected neighbourhood, bringing people closer to the places, services and opportunities they use every day.”
Kekana said the partnership between Pareto and Divercity brought together expertise in precinct development and residential property.
The aim is to create a neighbourhood that remains relevant as the surrounding area continues to grow, while making better use of an existing property asset.
Menlyn Park Apartments
