Blue Route Mall
A community-oriented shopping mall in Dreyersdal, Cape Town's Southern Suburbs.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Blue Route Mall, commonly called Blue Route, is a medium-sized shopping centre in Dreyersdal in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa. The mall serves a predominantly residential catchment area and is positioned as a convenient, broad-based retail and services destination rather than as a specialist luxury centre. Its location near the M3 freeway and M4 road gives it access to surrounding Southern Suburbs communities, while its tenant mix combines grocery, fashion, homeware, health and beauty, food, banking, telecommunications, fitness, entertainment and other everyday services. The original Blue Route Mall opened in the 1970s and contained 103 tenants. Over time, the property became less suited to the needs of its surrounding community and was regarded as increasingly dated. In 2001, its then-owner, Fountainhead Property Trust, began pursuing a major redevelopment solution. Rather than undertaking a limited refurbishment, the owners and project team planned a comprehensive replacement of the original building while maintaining trading activity during the works. Demolition began in April 2010, and the replacement centre opened in March 2012 after approximately 30 months of redevelopment. The project was designed by Peerutin Karol, project-managed by BFH de Jager, environmentally planned by CNdV Africa, landscaped by ARG Landscape Architects and constructed by Grinaker-LTA. Existing retailers were temporarily accommodated on the site so that the centre could continue operating during construction. The completed mall added approximately 8,000 square metres of retail space, increased the number of stores from 103 to 137 and introduced about 3,000 parking bays. Although the overall building footprint was reduced, the new design used the space more efficiently and addressed long-standing parking and circulation problems. The rebuilt centre comprises two retail levels, each of roughly 29,000 square metres, with double-volume walkways, sculptural skylights, an extensive balcony and restaurant and public areas with broad views. A dedicated food court occupies the north-western side. Outdoor areas include pedestrian routes, indigenous trees, taxi facilities and seating. Traffic management was incorporated into the design, including a planned slip road from Tokai Road intended to ease pressure at the Vans Road intersection. The mall also operates with CCTV surveillance, 24-hour security and a generator installation intended to provide continuous power during local outages. Blue Route Mall accommodates approximately 57,000 square metres of retail and service space and has both surface and covered parking. Its principal retail categories include groceries, clothing, sportswear, homeware, furniture, outdoor equipment, pet supplies, jewellery, printing, banking, mobile communications, baking, pharmacies, fitness and food service. Anchor and major tenants have included Woolworths, Checkers, Clicks, Zone Fitness, House & Home, Mr Price, Edgars, Dis-Chem and Toys R Us. The tenant roster has changed over time as retailers have revised their store networks and space requirements. Recent changes illustrate the continuing evolution of the centre. In 2021, Pick n Pay refurbished its clothing store at Blue Route Mall as a pilot for a more sustainable store format, receiving a four-star Green Star Interiors v1 rating. The South African Post Office later closed its branch at the mall in 2023. In September 2024, Pick n Pay announced the closure of its Blue Route Mall store as part of a wider programme affecting outlets at several shopping centres. The change enabled owner Redefine to reconfigure retail space and pursue stronger rental performance, with reporting indicating that competing supermarket operator Checkers was more popular among shoppers in the relevant catchment. Blue Route Mall remains an operating neighbourhood and regional retail destination under Redefine ownership.
History
Blue Route Mall originated in the 1970s as a neighbourhood shopping centre serving Cape Town's Southern Suburbs. The original complex opened with 103 tenants and became an established retail destination in a largely residential area. Its name is associated with a Malabari word for peacock, referencing the bird's blue tail. By the early 2000s, the original property was no longer considered sufficiently aligned with the needs of its community. In 2001, Fountainhead Property Trust, then the mall's owner, began investigating how to modernize the centre. The eventual answer was a complete redevelopment rather than a conventional refurbishment. The project sought to improve the retail environment, add space, resolve parking shortages, maintain access and respond to traffic conditions around the site. Demolition commenced in April 2010. The redevelopment proceeded through demolition, bulk excavation and piling, construction of the new ground-floor and upper-level structures, and the installation of finishes and tenant areas. The design team included Peerutin Karol as architect, BFH de Jager as project manager, CNdV Africa as environmental planner, ARG Landscape Architects for landscaping and Grinaker-LTA as contractor. Existing retailers were temporarily rehoused on the property, allowing the mall to continue trading throughout the approximately 30-month construction period. The replacement centre opened in March 2012, while the parking works were completed in September of that year. The reported redevelopment cost was R862 million at the time. The completed design added about 8,000 square metres of retail space and increased the tenant count from 103 to 137, even though the building footprint itself was reduced. The new centre provided roughly 57,000 square metres of space, two retail floors of approximately 29,000 square metres each, double-volume circulation areas, large skylights, a balcony and restaurant and public zones. A dedicated food court was added on the north-western elevation. Parking and transport were central elements of the rebuild. The new mall included around 3,000 bays, comprising surface parking and covered parking, with approximately 1,300 covered bays behind paid access. The site was planned to preserve traffic flow on surrounding roads, and a slip road from Tokai Road was intended to reduce pressure at the Vans Road intersection. Landscaping incorporated indigenous trees, pedestrian routes, seating and taxi facilities. Security infrastructure included CCTV and round-the-clock guards, while a generator farm was installed to support operations during power interruptions. After the rebuild, Blue Route Mall developed as a broad retail and services centre with grocery, fashion, homeware, furniture, sportswear, pet, pharmacy, banking, cellular, food and fitness offerings. Major tenants have included Woolworths, Checkers, Clicks, Zone Fitness, House & Home, Mr Price, Edgars, Dis-Chem and Toys R Us. Retail occupancy and the precise tenant mix have changed as operators have adjusted their formats and portfolios. The centre's later history includes retailer-specific format and portfolio changes. In April 2021, Pick n Pay refurbished its clothing store at the mall as a pilot for a sustainable store concept and received a four-star Green Star Interiors v1 rating. The South African Post Office closed its Blue Route Mall branch in 2023. In September 2024, Pick n Pay announced that it would close its store at the centre along with stores at other malls. The reported rationale included portfolio optimization and the opportunity for Redefine to improve the use and rental yield of the relevant retail space. Blue Route Mall continues to operate as a major everyday shopping destination for the Southern Suburbs.
- 2024
Pick n Pay store closure announced
[1]Pick n Pay announces the closure of its Blue Route Mall store as part of a broader outlet review, creating an opportunity for Redefine to optimize the space.
- 2023
Post Office branch closes
[1]The South African Post Office closes its Blue Route Mall branch.
- 2021
Pick n Pay tests sustainable store design
[1]Pick n Pay completes a clothing-store refurbishment at the mall and receives a four-star Green Star Interiors v1 rating.
- 2012
Rebuilt Blue Route Mall opens
[1]The new mall opens in March after a major rebuild that adds retail space, increases the store count to 137 and provides about 3,000 parking bays.
- 2010
Demolition of original mall starts
[1]Demolition begins in April as part of a phased replacement project, with retailers temporarily accommodated on site.
- 2001
Redevelopment planning begins
[1]Fountainhead Property Trust determines that the existing centre no longer adequately serves the community and begins pursuing a comprehensive redevelopment.
- 1970
Original shopping centre opens
[1]Blue Route Mall opens in the 1970s with 103 tenants and begins serving residents of Cape Town's Southern Suburbs.
Products and positioning
A convenient, community-focused shopping centre serving Cape Town's Southern Suburbs with a broad everyday retail, dining and services mix.
Grocery and general retail
Retail and grocery shopping
Blue Route Mall's core offering is a multi-category shopping environment for everyday needs. Grocery and general merchandise anchors are complemented by clothing, sportswear, homeware, furniture, outdoor equipment, pet supplies and toys. The centre's tenant mix has included Woolworths, Checkers, Mr Price, Edgars, House & Home and Toys R Us, although individual stores may change over time.
Health, beauty and wellness
Health, beauty and fitness services
The mall provides health, beauty and wellness services through pharmacy, personal-care and fitness tenants. Major named operators have included Clicks, Dis-Chem and Zone Fitness, giving local customers access to pharmaceutical and beauty products, personal-care services and gym facilities within the same centre.
Food and beverage · 2012
Dining and food court
The rebuilt mall introduced a dedicated food court on its north-western side, alongside restaurants and takeaway chains. Dining areas are integrated with public spaces and circulation areas, making food service an important part of the centre's community and convenience proposition.
Services
Retail and community services
Blue Route Mall also houses practical services such as banking, mobile communications, printing, baking and related customer services. These uses support the mall's role as a neighbourhood destination where shoppers can combine errands with retail purchases, dining and leisure.
Brand decisions
2024
Reconfigure space after Pick n Pay closureStrategyBackground
Pick n Pay announced the closure of its Blue Route Mall store as part of a wider programme affecting stores at multiple shopping centres.
Action taken
Redefine was reported to be using the vacancy as an opportunity to optimize the retail space and improve rental income.
Aftermath
The change reflected competition among supermarket operators and the continuing adjustment of the mall's tenant mix.
- Checkers — Reporting indicated that Checkers was more popular with shoppers in the relevant catchment and generated stronger revenue for the property owner.
2012
Open the rebuilt Blue Route MallGeneration changeBackground
The original shopping centre required modernization, more efficient space use and additional parking.
Action taken
The owner and project team replaced the original mall with a two-level centre featuring a food court, expanded retail space, improved circulation and approximately 3,000 parking bays.
Aftermath
The rebuilt centre opened in March 2012 with 137 stores and approximately 57,000 square metres of retail and service space. Parking works were completed in September 2012.
Estimated redevelopment cost. R862 million (Redevelopment completed in 2012)
2001
Commission a comprehensive mall redevelopmentStrategyBackground
The original centre was considered dated and insufficiently responsive to the needs of its surrounding community.
Action taken
Fountainhead Property Trust began pursuing a full rebuild rather than a limited refurbishment.
Aftermath
The plan led to phased demolition and construction, with existing tenants temporarily relocated on site so trading could continue.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Blue Route Mall receives Net Zero Waste Level 2 certification[3]
Reported:
Redefine Properties’ Blue Route Mall in Tokai, Cape Town, was awarded Net Zero Waste Level 2 certification by the Green Building Council South Africa.
Western Cape Blood Service announces 10-mall blood drive[4]
Reported:
Western Cape Blood Service announced a blood drive planned for Saturday, October 30, at 10 malls across the Western Cape, aiming to collect 1,000 units of blood.
Weekdays and relative dates follow the original report; their exact calendar dates have not been verified.
Sources4 sources
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