Rapfund's new Pinelands retail hub lands Checkers, Dis-Chem
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Rapfund's new Pinelands retail hub lands Checkers, Dis-Chem. Rapfund Investments is building Pinelands Village, a new shopping centre at 2 Gardener Way in Pinelands, Cape Town. The 6,337 square metre development will house 26 shops and restaurants, anchored by Checkers and Dis-Chem. Other confirmed tenants include Nando's, Panarottis, Kauai, vida e caffè and K1 Sushi, alongside BOA Beauty Bar, WAXIT, Torga Optical, Volpes, Dial-a-Bed and Petshop Science. The centre is designed as a two-level retail space converted from an existing warehouse and office buildings, featuring a pedestrian restaurant boulevard, a children's play area and three parking decks. Dot Ink Designs is the architect, with Stabilid Cape Construction as principal contractor and MDSA Project Management overseeing the project. It's set to open in the fourth quarter of 2026. Rapfund, part of Folkes Holdings and established in 2006, already owns nine retail properties valued at approximately R1.7 billion across the Western Cape and Gauteng. Pinelands Village adds to that portfolio, strengthening the fund's focus on convenience-led neighbourhood retail. Read the full story by Neale Petersen on rei.co.za.
The 6,337m² Pinelands Village development will introduce 26 shops and restaurants to Cape Town's established Garden City suburb, expanding Rapfund Investments' convenience retail portfolio.
Top 3 highlights
- Rapfund Investments is developing the 6,337m² Pinelands Village shopping centre, anchored by Checkers and Dis-Chem, with 26 shops and restaurants.
- Major tenants include Nando's, Panarottis, Kauai and vida e caffè, bringing convenience shopping, dining and essential services together.
- The development strengthens Rapfund's convenience retail strategy, supported by an existing nine-property portfolio valued at approximately R1.7 billion.
Rapfund expands its neighbourhood retail investment strategy
Cape Town's commercial property market is set to welcome another neighbourhood retail development as Rapfund Investments, a specialist long-term commercial property investor, progresses construction of Pinelands Village, a new shopping centre anchored by Checkers and Dis-Chem.
Located at 2 Gardener Way in Pinelands, the 6,337m² development will accommodate 26 shops and restaurants, combining grocery shopping, healthcare, dining, beauty and household services in one accessible destination.
The centre is scheduled to open during the fourth quarter of 2026, adding to the growing pipeline of convenience-focused retail developments across the Western Cape.
Established in 2006 and forming part of Folkes Holdings, Rapfund focuses on neighbourhood shopping centres in established and growing residential areas, targeting sustainable rental income and long-term capital growth.
Its existing portfolio comprises nine retail properties valued at approximately R1.7 billion, with assets typically ranging between 3,500m² and 18,000m².
Pinelands Village represents a continuation of this strategy, combining recognised national tenants with a well-established residential catchment and convenient access to everyday services.
Pinelands Village: What is being developed?
The new centre has been designed as a neighbourhood shopping destination rather than a large regional mall, prioritising convenience, accessibility and a complementary tenant mix.
Key development facts:
- Development: Pinelands Village Shopping Centre.
- Developer: Rapfund Investments, part of Folkes Holdings.
- Location: 2 Gardener Way, Pinelands, Cape Town.
- Size: Approximately 6,337m².
- Retail offering: 26 shops and restaurants.
- Anchor tenants: Checkers and Dis-Chem.
- Target opening: Fourth quarter of 2026.
The development is intended to allow residents to complete multiple shopping and service-related errands in a single visit.
With grocery and pharmacy anchors generating regular customer visits, the supporting restaurants and specialist retailers are expected to broaden the centre's appeal.
Checkers and Dis-Chem lead the tenant line-up
Two of South Africa's best-known retail brands will anchor Pinelands Village, providing a foundation for its convenience-led offering.
Checkers will serve everyday grocery requirements, while Dis-Chem will introduce pharmacy, healthcare and personal care products.
Confirmed and announced tenants include:
- Groceries and pharmacy: Checkers and Dis-Chem.
- Restaurants and coffee: Nando's, Panarottis Pizza & Pasta, Kauai, vida e caffè and K1 Sushi.
- Beauty and personal care: BOA Beauty Bar and WAXIT.
- Healthcare services: Torga Optical.
- Homeware and furnishings: Volpes and Dial-a-Bed.
- Pet supplies: Petshop Science.
The combination of essential retail, restaurants and specialist services is designed to encourage frequent visits rather than relying exclusively on discretionary shopping.
For retail property investors, the anchor-led model offers the potential for recurring foot traffic, with complementary tenants benefiting from the centre's overall customer draw.
Why Pinelands is an attractive retail location
Pinelands is one of Cape Town's established residential suburbs, known for its tree-lined streets, family homes, schools and convenient access to major transport routes.
Originally developed according to Garden City planning principles, the suburb combines residential neighbourhoods with commercial, educational and healthcare facilities.
Its central location, proximity to the N2 and accessibility from surrounding suburbs create an established catchment for convenience retail.
Key location fundamentals include:
- A mature residential community with regular shopping and service needs.
- Proximity to employment nodes, including the Old Mutual precinct.
- Access to major road networks connecting different parts of Cape Town.
- Nearby schools, healthcare facilities and residential developments.
- An opportunity to complement existing shopping destinations through a differentiated tenant offering.
Pinelands already has established retail facilities, including Howard Centre and Central Square, meaning the new development will enter a competitive local market.
Its long-term success will depend on tenant performance, accessibility, customer convenience and its ability to attract repeat visits.
A modern retail design focused on accessibility
The project involves the conversion of an existing warehouse and office buildings into a two-level retail centre.
According to the architectural project description, the design incorporates a pedestrian boulevard intended to accommodate restaurant activity and outdoor interaction, together with a secure children's play area.
Three parking decks also form part of the development plans.
The design approach includes:
- Adaptive reuse of existing commercial buildings.
- A double-level retail configuration.
- A pedestrian-oriented restaurant boulevard.
- A dedicated children's play area.
- Structured parking to support customer access.
The project team includes Dot Ink Designs as architect, Stabilid Cape Construction as principal contractor and MDSA Project Management as project manager, supported by specialist consultants.
Rapfund's R1.7 billion retail property portfolio
Pinelands Village adds to Rapfund's established presence in South Africa's convenience retail market.
The fund's investment approach focuses on neighbourhood centres in major metropolitan areas, where recurring household expenditure can support tenant demand.
Its existing portfolio includes:
- Western Cape: 3Arts Village and Steenberg Village.
- Gauteng: Featherbrooke Village, Honeydew Village, Kingfisher Corner, Parktown Quarter, San Ridge Square, Southdowns Shopping Centre and Verdi Shopping Centre.
The portfolio illustrates Rapfund's preference for smaller and medium-sized shopping centres serving defined residential catchments.
By targeting grocery-led retail and essential services, the fund seeks to support distributable income growth while building long-term property value.
The bottom line: Convenience retail remains a growth opportunity
Pinelands Village reflects the continued investment appeal of neighbourhood retail centres built around everyday consumer needs.
With Checkers and Dis-Chem as anchors, a broad restaurant offering and a centrally located residential catchment, the development brings together several important fundamentals of convenience-led retail.
However, its investment performance will ultimately depend on sustainable rentals, tenant trading, occupancy and operating efficiency once the centre opens.
For Rapfund Investments, the development represents another step in expanding its retail property footprint.
For Cape Town's commercial property sector, Pinelands Village reinforces the importance of location, national anchor tenants and accessible everyday shopping in shaping the next generation of neighbourhood retail developments.
Source references: Folkes Holdings development announcement · Daily Investor retail development report · Rapfund property portfolio
