Big plans for one of South Africa’s top shopping malls
Brooklyn Mall in Pretoria has launched new initiatives to improve its performance, including tenant expansions and investments from key retailers.
Brooklyn Mall is one of Gauteng’s largest shopping centres, covering 75,259 square meters and featuring 220 stores.
It opened in 1989 and services affluent customers from Menlo Park, Lynnwood, Waterkloof and Waterkloof Ridge.
Located in Brooklyn, it is close to 121 embassies, 77 guesthouses and hotels, 55 schools, and the University of Pretoria with 62,000 students.
However, despite its excellent location and wide range of shops, Brooklyn Mall has been struggling in recent years.
The centre’s vacancy rate, a vital metric for real estate investors, increased from 3.6% in 2019 to 18.7% in 2024.
The effect was seen in Brooklyn Mall’s gross rental income per square meter, which has declined as the vacancy rates have risen.
Brooklyn Mall’s gross rental income declined from R306.87 per square meter in 2019 to R260.56 per square meter in 2024.
Numerous factors caused the decline, including increased competition from the Castle Gate shopping centre and a problem with vagrants in the area.
Castle Gate offers shoppers free parking, a modern shopping experience, and excellent stores, including Dis-Chem, Checkers, Woolworths Food, and Food Lovers Market.
The Castle Gate shopping centre also provides a range of restaurants, including Spur, RocoMamas, Doppio Zero, Starbucks, and Fireroom.
It competes directly against Brooklyn Square, which features restaurants like Tashas, Wood & Fire, Moo Moo, and Ocean Basket.
To fight back, Brooklyn Mall has launched initiatives to provide an improved shopping experience to its clients.
It is adapting its tenant mix with prominent fashion brands like Steve Madden, Miekeraai, Levi’s, and Birkenstock.
One of Brooklyn Mall’s biggest tenants, Woolworths, has upgraded its stores in the centre with a R50 million-plus investment. It includes a WCellar offering and Woolworths Cafe.
The Cielo store has also increased its space, and the South African furniture retailer Incanda will be opening this month.
Other prominent stores have also increased their store space, including Yuppiechef, Volpes, Sterlings, Golden Goose, Mr Price Home and @Home.
Brooklyn Mall is further making space for more additions on the first level of the shopping centre.
“We’ve reached a pivotal moment at Brooklyn Mall and have embraced the possibilities our standing provides to grow and transform,” the shopping mall said.
Brooklyn Mall is 75% owned by Growthpoint, the largest listed property company in South Africa.
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