Brightwater Commons is Randburg Waterfront re-born, planned and built in the conviction – uplifting hardly less than radical - that a modern urban shopping centre can have a ‘Green’ character and a family-friendly heart. And each month 600,000 people head there, proving that an ideal can deliver commercial success. 

 

Located in the middle and upper income community 14 km from Johannesburg city centre, the reincarnation could hardly be at greater variance to the original; a R80 million refurbishment with soft landscaping, paved walkways, a village green and a redesigned watercourse. 

 

Owned by Fountainhead Property Trust -formerly Grayprop - the result is a distinctly new environmental and urban experience; a transformation from a stark harbour and warehouse development into a welcoming small town streetscape. And one ideal for a family outing; dinner with friends, shopping in a tranquil environment, and children enjoying the numerous activities and play parks. There are cinemas and a nightfall spectacular - liquid fireworks created by the musical fountains, 30m high and all choreographed to music.

with high expectations and public acclaim. Built in 1996 following the success of South Africa’s most visited destination, Cape Town’s Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, it consisted of a large oval of shops and restaurants, surrounding a lake in a natural depression in President Ridge and fed by the Jukskei River. Popular with teenagers and families it offered live bands, African dancers, and a cinema complex, all combined with a wide choice of restaurants and flea market stalls. “It was a very vibey place, very young, lots of pubs. We used to come on a Friday evening, have a few drinks and socialise with our mates” recalls Brightwaters’ 42 year old Operations Manager, Gary Kenning. 

But by the year 2000 its reputation and popularity declined, shop space stood empty and there was a creeping shabbiness. If the Waterfront was to be saved, a massive transformation had become urgent. While stopping short of the alien spirit of what came to be called the architectural ‘New Brutalism’, the original Waterfront’s visual attraction was never equal to its commercial ambitions and early success. The abstract nature of ‘New Brutalism’ had produced a style unfriendly and with high expectations and public acclaim. Built in 1996 following the success of South Africa’s most visited destination, Cape Town’s Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, it consisted of a large oval of shops and restaurants, surrounding a lake in a natural depression in President Ridge and fed by the Jukskei River. 

Popular with teenagers and families it offered live bands, African dancers, and a cinema complex, all combined with a wide choice of restaurants and flea market stalls. “It was a very vibey place, very young, lots of pubs. We used to come on a Friday evening, have a few drinks and socialise with our mates” recalls Brightwaters’ 42 year old Operations Manager, Gary Kenning. But by the year 2000 its reputation and popularity declined, shop space stood empty and there was a creeping shabbiness. If the Waterfront was to be saved, a massive transformation had become urgent. While stopping short of the alien spirit of what came to be called the architectural ‘New Brutalism’, the original Waterfront’s visual attraction was never equal to its commercial ambitions and early success. The abstract nature of ‘New Brutalism’ had produced a style unfriendly and

And Brightwater’s Green Campaign has recently won two major South African Council of Shopping Centre Awards. - the Footprint Awards for outstanding and highly effective retail marketing initiatives, and the Spectrum Awards, seen as the ‘Oscars’ of the South African retail industry. Celebrated are achievements in innovation, creativity, vision and excellence across all disciplines and sectors within the retail industry. Only four Spectrum Awards are presented, with one for marketing excellence. And this was scooped by the Brightwater Commons ‘Going Green Campaign’ – given the volume of entries from across South Africa, a remarkable achievement. Back at the birth of Brightwater Commons Mark Young said, “If we have done our job well, shoppers will not only visit for the attractions but will confirm that it is a retail environment that just feels right.” Scroll forward and six hundred thousand visitors a month are saying the Brightwater feeling is ‘Just Right’.