First-of-its-kind R100 million healthcare ‘village’ opens in South Africa’s richest city

Construction of the new R100 million integrated healthcare village in Rosebank, Epione Health Village, has been completed, bringing GPs, specialists, diagnostics, pharmacy, and surgery together under one roof.

This project was developed by Growthpoint Healthcare Property Holdings, South Africa’s first property fund dedicated exclusively to healthcare and wellness real estate.

Located in Rosebank, Johannesburg, this flagship facility, valued at approximately R100 million, introduces a new model of integrated, accessible and affordable healthcare to the country.

Co-developed by Growthpoint’s in-house development team and Epione, the first Epione Health Village marks the culmination of a partnership that began taking shape eight years ago.

The project brings together GHPH’s capital and healthcare real estate specialisation, and Growthpoint’s development expertise.

It also combines Epione’s founding philosophy of doctor-led, patient-centred care that is both affordable and inclusive.

The Epione Health Village concept is built around a one-stop model – from GP consultation through specialist care, diagnostics, and pharmacy.

It has been designed to make healthcare access simple, affordable, and inclusive for patients across all economic classes.

“We identified Growthpoint as our partner of choice about eight years ago and explored this concept together,” said Epione founder Garikai “Gazah” Govati.

Govati explained that they chose Growthpoint for its experience, capital, and expertise in building successful hospitals.

“Epione is a small project compared to others for Growthpoint, but the attention to detail, the skills and the expertise they provided to help us develop this project and bring it to life have been tremendous.”

GHPH, which is managed by the Growthpoint Properties fund management business, Growthpoint Investment Partners, has grown its portfolio to R8 billion in assets under management.

These include hospitals, medical suites, pharmaceutical manufacturing and warehousing facilities, senior living communities, and now the first Epione Health Village.

What Epione Health Village offers

“We are proud to be the healthcare property partner and developer that helped bring this vision to life,” said Growthpoint Healthcare Property Holdings Fund Manager Farhana Russell.

“It represents exactly the kind of asset GHPH exists to help create, by providing capital and know-how. Epione Health Village is a purpose-built, thoughtfully designed healthcare offering that serves a real community need.”

The first site on Glenhove Road in Rosebank, near the busy intersection of Oxford Road, is designed and developed to be a welcoming, continuous patient journey across two floors.

On the ground floor, an open-plan entrance faces directly out onto the community, with a pharmacy and coffee shop at the threshold.

On this level, visitors will also find a concierge desk and a primary healthcare corridor with 22 consulting rooms. These accommodate eight GPs, dental and optometry practices, and clinical associates.

There is also a skin cancer centre of excellence staffed by dermatologists and specialist surgeons focused on melanoma and related skin conditions.

In addition to an on-site pharmacy, an in-house laboratory offering histopathology and approximately 80% of the tests provided by major diagnostic providers, completes the ground-floor offering.

The second floor houses an ambulatory surgery centre with 20 beds and two fully equipped theatres capable of handling a broad range of surgical cases. Additional services include colorectal and endoscopy screening.

Govati said there is a healthy pipeline of more Epione Health Villages to be developed soon. “Healthcare requires a lot of compassion. It is the greatest expression of humanity.”

“Walking into a space that is conducive to offering healthcare means the healing starts before you even see a doctor. We plan to offer more of these spaces across Africa.”