Sandton City Shopping Centre began life as a pioneering development in Johannesburg’s Sandton area. Built on former farmland by developers Rapp and Maister—later associated with Liberty Properties—it opened its doors on 12 September 1973. More than five decades later, Sandton City remains a benchmark for retail in South Africa.
Recently, there were reports circulating about Sandton City’s occupancy levels, with some suggesting that the centre was not fully let. Having read these snippets on various business news websites, I decided to go and see for myself.
The reality on the ground told a very different story.
Every single shop and retail space appeared to be occupied. From my walk-through, it looked very much like 100% occupancy. This highlights a broader issue with the way many newer business news platforms operate. Often, they push short-form content via social media, presenting only part of the picture. While this can create misleading impressions, these smaller business sites do serve a purpose: they flag developments that larger, more established newspapers may only revisit months—or even a year—later, due to space and budget constraints.
Sandton City itself continues to evolve. One of the most striking changes since my last visit—over two and a half years ago—has been the influx of new luxury brands, particularly in men’s fashion. I noticed several high-end labels that were completely unfamiliar to me, a clear sign of how the retail mix is constantly being refreshed.
The women’s fashion offering has expanded just as impressively. I was particularly struck by the arrival of Seafolly, the iconic Australian swimwear brand, now trading from a dedicated store in the centre. Founded in Sydney in 1975 by Peter and Yvonne Halas, Seafolly is known worldwide for its stylish, high-quality swimwear inspired by Bondi Beach culture, with a strong focus on fit and craftsmanship. Its presence at Sandton City speaks volumes about the mall’s international appeal.
The sheer scale of Sandton City also allows major brands to trade from full flagship stores—Adidas being a good example. I also came across a Springbok shop, packed with caps, jerseys, and a full range of supporter apparel and memorabilia, which seemed to be drawing plenty of interest.
I had the chance to speak to a shop owner I’ve known since the late 1980s, and it was encouraging to hear that his business continues to perform well at Sandton City. Longevity like that says a great deal about the centre’s resilience and pulling power.
Afterwards, I stopped for a light meal and coffee at The Bread Basket. Walking up to the counter and being greeted by the aroma of Italian coffee and freshly baked pastries was a pleasure in itself. The selection looked fantastic—and tasted even better.
Sandton City still amazes. Its range of luxury European brands is arguably unmatched in South Africa, and the centre remains in excellent condition following its major revamp a few years ago. Most gratifying of all is seeing it fully occupied and thriving.
More than fifty years on, Sandton City truly deserves its reputation as the Grand Dame of South African shopping centres.
