Property

Major new shopping centre opens in small seaside South African town

Kirsten Minnaar • 27 March 2026

A new 20,000 m² coastal-inspired retail and lifestyle centre, Garden Walk, has opened in Hartenbos, offering 51 stores, dining, and community spaces.

Developed by Moolman Group in partnership with Dorpstraat and Organic Coral Developments, Garden Walk has been designed to serve the growing Mossel Bay region and the broader Garden Route.

The centre welcomed its first shoppers on 26 March 2026 following an official ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by project partners, municipal representatives, tenants and members of the local community.

The opening was marked by a festive community celebration, with choirs from Laerskool Hartenbos and Hoërskool Punt performing during the ceremony as residents, stakeholders, and visitors gathered to launch the new centre.

The single-level centre opened with 51 stores trading at launch, anchored by a 3,500 m² Checkers FreshX, Food Lover’s Market, and Dis-Chem, and providing 502 parking bays for shoppers.

Well-known brands include Outdoor Warehouse, Agrimark, Clicks, PNA, Pick n Pay Clothing, Miladys, Mr Price Home, Pencil & Oak, Volpes, and PEP Home, as well as a range of specialist stores and service outlets.

Dining and coffee options include Spur, Doppio Zero, Mugg & Bean and Seattle Coffee Company. There are also several local establishments, including Elvis Brew, Krust Café, Craft Biltong, Indoblu, Waterplaas and KOALA.

With a development history spanning more than five decades, Moolman Group has built a strong track record in developing retail centres for growing communities across South Africa.

“Our focus has always been on developing centres that respond to the everyday needs of the communities they serve,” said Moolman Group CEO Pieter Lombaard.

“Garden Walk fits our ethos of creating a well-located retail environment that provides essential services while also contributing to the social life of a growing coastal community.”

Moolman Group’s head of developments, Hermann Stassen, said the vision for Garden Walk extended beyond simply a retail centre.

“Our aim was to create a space that is true to the character of the Garden Route while creating a welcoming environment,” he said.

“From the architecture to the landscaped public areas and curated art installations, the centre was designed to feel connected to its coastal community.”

Dorpstraat director Jannie Kruger added that the project exemplified strong collaboration between the development team, contractors and local stakeholders.

“Developments of this scale are the result of close cooperation between many partners, from the professional team and contractors to local authorities and the community itself,” he said.

“We are proud to see the centre open its doors and begin serving the region.”

Shaped by the coastal landscape

Garden Walk’s design draws inspiration from the local terrain, with architectural elements that evoke the surrounding coastal landscape and maritime heritage of the Mossel Bay area.

Natural textures, warm earthy tones and gently curved forms echo the shapes of nearby dunes and ocean horizons, while materials such as steel, timber and brick speak to the region’s maritime character.

The developers aimed to create a welcoming, easy-to-navigate shopping environment, with spacious walkways, intuitive pedestrian flow, and a central piazza that serves as a natural gathering space within the centre.

Outdoor seating areas, free-standing restaurant terraces and a dedicated children’s play area combine with landscaped areas throughout the centre.

Art forms an important part of the character and atmosphere at Garden Walk, with a number of artistic installations incorporated throughout the centre.

Professional artists drew inspiration from the surrounding landscapes, indigenous fauna and flora, and the nearby ocean, murals and artworks.

At the heart of the centre is a communal workspace with free Wi-Fi, providing a convenient place where students, professionals, local residents and holiday visitors can meet, work or take a break during the day.

Economic benefits for the region

Garden Walk is located in Hartenbos, a well-known coastal town on the Garden Route, approximately 45 km from George.

It forms part of the broader Mossel Bay region – which includes Mossel Bay itself, Glentana and the Groot and Klein Brak River areas – and functions as an important regional service hub along the Garden Route.

As a coastal tourism destination, Hartenbos is a perennial favourite along the Garden Route and remains a popular holiday town that attracts large numbers of visitors during peak seasons.

It is particularly well known for the ATKV Hartenbos Resort, the largest self-catering holiday resort on the Garden Route coastline.

Hartenbos also supports a growing permanent residential community and offers a range of local amenities, including schools, sports clubs and churches.

Garden Walk is located within the Hartenbos North area, which has developed into a key commercial and tourism node for the town.

Positioned within this strong residential and holiday market, the centre provides convenient retail and services for both local residents and seasonal visitors to the region.

The centre is prominently located next to the N2 at the Hartenbos/Mossel Bay off-ramp, ensuring easy access for residents, visitors, and travellers moving through the Garden Route.

Garden Walk has already contributed to the local economy through construction activity and local procurement and will continue to do so through employment opportunities within the centre.

During the construction phase, around 60% of the workforce was drawn from the local community, with an estimated R32 million spent locally.

Mossel Bay Local Municipality executive mayor Alderman Dirk Kotze welcomed the development as an important investment in the region.

“Developments such as Garden Walk play an important role in strengthening the local economy while improving the quality of life for residents,” Kotze said.

“This centre brings new retail opportunities, job creation and a vibrant gathering place for the community while supporting the continued growth of the Mossel Bay region.”