R500m retail upgrade at Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World set for early 2021

Architectural perspective of the entrance to Boardwalk Mall

A development of this kind typically creates about 2,000 jobs during construction and roughly 1,500 permanent posts thereafter. Local contractors and materials will be used wherever possible. As part of the development, there will be significant investment in upgrading surrounding roads. Second Avenue will be widened into four lanes, and it will include a new entrance into Boardwalk Mall.

The retail space will be increased to 23,000m² along with an extensive upgrade and reconfiguration. More leisure and retail options will be added, with more shops, restaurants, and entertainment, including the new Sun Park Square which is designed to host events.

Additional development plans

Bongi Siwisa, chairperson of Emfuleni Resorts - a subsidiary of Sun International, says, “As long-standing partners of Sun International and investors in the Boardwalk Hotel and Casino, including its current retail, Emfuleni is pleased to extend our investment to the new Boardwalk Mall. We believe it is going to be a great asset for ourselves and its community.”

Says Paul Gerard, MD of Flanagan & Gerard, “We have always felt that this is a unique, strategic and exciting retail development opportunity in South Africa, and our view still holds. It is a privilege to be working with visionary partners of the calibre of Emfuleni Resorts and Sun International to develop the ultimate convenience shopping experience in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, and we look forward to being part of the venture that will make this vision a reality.”

With 17 hectares of land available for the redevelopment, Boardwalk Mall is only the first phase of the redevelopment. Additional plans include hospitality, medical suites, big-box retail and a health club.