Garden Walk Shopping Centre is opening in two months’ time, with the mall set to bring convenient retail offerings to Hartenbos in the Western Cape, which is seeing an influx of wealthy South Africans.
The mall aims to provide quality retail, convenient dining and welcoming shared spaces to shoppers along the Garden Route, providing a central hub for the Hartenbos community.
Moolman Group, in partnership with Organic Coral Investments and Dorpstraat, will be developing an upmarket mall.
Garden Walk aims to be a modern new shopping centre opening in the northern part of Hartenbos. It has visibility from the N2 and is easily accessible from the R102 and Monte Christo Road.
The mall is located near well-known neighbourhoods of Outeniquabosch, Monte Christo, Hartland and Hartenbos Landgoed. Hartenbos itself is found within the larger Mossel Bay local municipality.
Shoppers will look forward to large supermarkets, including Checkers and Food Lover’s Market, along with a well-balanced mix of fashion, beauty and essential service retailers, and banking facilities.
Other tenants at the mall include Pick n Pay Clothing, Woolworths Edit, @Home, Mr Price Home, PEP Home, Crazy Plastics, Sorbet, Clicks, Dis-Chem, Ackermans, PNA and many more.
Dining options include KFC, Doppio Zero, Spur, Mugg & Bean, Burger King and Seattle Coffee. The centre includes a dedicated children’s play area to support a relaxed, family-oriented visit.
The 20,000 sqm mall will officially open its doors to customers on 26 March 2026.
Buyers flocking to the Garden Route
The surrounding area is also experiencing an influx of wealthy South Africans who are increasingly turning their backs on big-city living and moving to smaller coastal towns along the Garden Route.
New data from Seeff Property showed that towns including George, Mossel Bay and Plettenberg Bay are emerging as top semigration destinations for high-net-worth buyers, increasing property prices.
The Garden Route is no longer viewed purely as a holiday or retirement escape; it has become a permanent home for families, professionals, and business owners seeking an improved quality of life.
Pieter Jordaan, licensee for Seeff George, said that buyers are drawn to the area’s laid-back pace, minimal traffic, and clean and well-managed environment.
Buyers also still enjoy access to good schools, hospitals, shopping centres, and an airport, which enables easy access to other parts of the Garden Route.
Mossel Bay has also delivered strong performance, supported by lifestyle buyers, retirees and tourism-driven demand.
Herman Spies, sales manager for Seeff Mossel Bay, noted property investment in the area has brought strong returns, with the town ranking among the top-performing markets over the past five years.
Total transactions for the 12 months to the end of November 2025 reached R2.4 billion, which is far above pre-pandemic levels.
Spies also noted that the broader Mossel Bay area offers a wide range of options, including popular areas such as Groot Brak, Klein Brak, Dana Bay, and Hartenbos.
These areas appeal to both holidaymakers and permanent residents. The average sale price in the area sits at around R2.3 million, with homes trading between R1.5 million and R4 million.
Luxury estates like Pinnacle Point command massive premiums, with prices typically ranging from R5 million to R10 million and higher.
Garden Walk Shopping Centre Images
