ABLAND: Building South Africa’s Next Landmarks

For more than three decades, Abland Property Developers has been changing the shape of South Africa’s cities. The company has become one of the country’s most recognisable names in property, working from offices in Stellenbosch and Midrand across Gauteng and the Western Cape, with spaces that have drawn top local and international businesses throughout that time. 

Its strength lies in seeing a project through from first idea to final leasing and sale. Abland handles concept, construction, ownership and sales, and the results are clear. The Rubik, a 27-storey tower with apartments, penthouses and offices, now defines a corner of the Cape Town city bowl, while Parkdene Boulevard in Boksburg grew into a 33,000 m² retail centre with around 90 tenants. At the 2024 SAPOA Awards, the company won three trophies, including corporate office development for AVBOB’s head office in Centurion, and retail development and the overall heritage award for Eyethu Shopping Centre in Soweto. Larger precincts are now taking shape too, among them Groot Phesantekraal in Durbanville, planned across about 600,000 m² with its retail centre already trading, and Lanseria Commercial Crossing north of Johannesburg. 

Irene Link, in Centurion, is the clearest expression of that thinking. “With more to come, Irene Link continues to shape a destination where businesses can grow, people can connect, and work and life find their rhythm. Irene Link Precinct in Centurion brings together a dynamic mix of office and retail space within an established and growing business destination. The precinct currently offers 50,000 m² of Gross Lettable Area across Office Buildings A–E, accommodating businesses including Nissan, Old Mutual, Tabona and Optimi, as well as AVBOB’s 11,500 m² 4-Star Green-rated head office. At the heart of the precinct is the 15,000 m² Irene Link Shopping Centre, with a strong retail and lifestyle offering including Woolworths, Checkers, Dis-Chem, Bootlegger, Mondanette Butchery and Planet Fitness,” the company says. 

Location and resilience are a large part of the draw, and the precinct is still expanding. “With direct access to the N1, backup power and water, a Gautrain bus stop within the precinct and retail amenities on-site, Irene Link is well connected and designed to support the needs of the businesses and people who use it every day. And it continues to grow. More than 25,000 m² of premium-grade office space is planned for the next phases, with one of the buildings scheduled for completion towards the end of 2027,” the company says. 

BREAKING GROUND 

Further momentum is being built in a difficult market. Economic growth has stayed below 1% for two years, construction costs remain high and timelines are long. Offices have been under pressure, while industrial and well-located retail have proved more resilient, and premium, well-connected offices in the best nodes are still seeing strong take-up. For a developer with the balance sheet and patience to keep building, that split is an opportunity, and Abland’s industrial pipeline reflects it, with Bayer Witfontein in Johannesburg under construction and Samrand Industrial Quarter in Centurion following. 

In Vanderbijlpark, south of Johannesburg, construction is under way on Sunbird Central, a 10,000 m² centre on Westrup Street that is due for completion in August 2027. “A significant milestone for Sunbird Central Shopping Centre as we officially marked the beginning of a new retail destination in Vanderbijlpark. Strategically positioned to connect established residential communities with Boipatong and Sharpeville, Sunbird Central is envisioned as a place where everyday convenience, diverse retail experiences and community connection come together. More than a new development, it represents an investment in the future of the area and the people who call it home,” the company said at the groundbreaking. 

The arched design gives the centre strong visibility from the surrounding streets, and the proposed retail mix runs from grocers to fashion. “Positioned at the intersection of the city and surrounding communities, Sunbird Central is being shaped around visibility, accessibility and everyday convenience, with a diverse retail offering designed for the people who live, work and connect in the area,” the company says. “We look forward to seeing this vision take shape and bringing a new retail destination to life. Here’s to building new opportunities and shaping the future of retail in Vanderbijlpark,” says Grant Silverman, Marketing and Leasing Director. 

The same appetite for community retail is on show in Cape Town. Central Blue Shopping Centre in Blue Downs, an 8,000 m² centre anchored by Superspar with Clicks, Cashbuild, Capitec and KFC among its tenants, broke ground in November 2025 and opened in October 2026. Saxdowne Shopping Centre is also complete, giving Abland a growing run of neighbourhood centres across the Western Cape.

CANAL PLAZA

The best-known success of the past year is in Century City. Canal Plaza is a P-grade, 4-Star Green Rated office building of 10,333 m² across four floors at 1 Heron Place, just off the N1 and within walking distance of Canal Walk, overlooking the Intaka Island Nature Reserve. 

Abland is developing it with Gutsche Investment, the Moolman Group and Blue Dawn Capital, and it is already drawing interest from blue-chip tenants ahead of occupation in May 2027. It is the fifth Century City office investment for Gutsche Investment, a vote of confidence in the node itself and in the quality of the product being delivered.

Tenants will find backup power and water, high-speed fibre and a MyCiTi bus stop close by, along with white box specifications and fit-out allowances that make moving in simple. The offer reflects what corporates now ask of an office, which is somewhere that helps them attract and keep people. “By maintaining close relationships with key stakeholders – including tenants, brokers and industry partners – we secured high-quality tenants and sustained strong engagement across our portfolio. Our focus remains on understanding evolving talent requirements and strategically positioning our developments to support their business growth and long-term success,” says Silverman. 

South Africa does not lack demand for premium property, but it does lack supply. Land is limited in the best nodes, approvals are slow, and the cost of building discourages many from starting at all, which leaves growing businesses competing for a small number of quality buildings. Every precinct that reaches completion, from Centurion to Century City, adds capacity that the economy needs to expand. 

Abland’s leadership sees that as the opening for the years ahead. “Through periods of change and challenge – the ups and downs, uncertainties and external pressures – Abland has remained steadfast in its commitment to the South African economy. Our dedication to contributing to the development and long-term growth of the property sector has not wavered. We see a decade of opportunity ahead for South Africa. Abland is proud to play its part in delivering property solutions required to support this growth and momentum,” says Jurgens Prinsloo, CEO.