South Africa’s largest shopping destination, Fourways Mall, has taken another step on its transformative journey. With its new strategic asset manager, Flanagan & Gerard Group, and property manager, Moolman Group, the mall is adopting a unique management approach designed to address its post-pandemic challenges while ushering in a new era of retail excellence.
For three decades, Fourways Mall has been a cornerstone of retail and entertainment in its community. The vision for its future is clear: to be a vibrant, engaging, secure, and resilient shopping environment that meets the needs of its community, customers, retailers, and all stakeholders, offering more reasons to visit more often and a great experience for everyone.
Paul Gerard, MD of Flanagan & Gerard, says, “The mall’s transformation is not only about enhancing its physical spaces and retail mix but redefining how the mall operates on every level, building on what works well and improving where needed. This is a new chapter for the mall, one that blends robust management practices with innovative strategies. While the management team may work behind the scenes, they set the stage for every aspect of the Fourways Mall experience.”
Paul Gerard, MD of Flanagan & Gerard
Given its size, managing Fourways Mall is an enormous, intensive, and complex task, especially during a phase of significant change and refocus. The multifaceted improvement programme, paired with daily management needs, has broadened and deepened the capabilities required of its centre management team.
Johann Klopper, Asset Manager at Moolman Group, explains, “This is a unique time for Fourways Mall, necessitating an exceptional approach to its management. We’re implementing a meticulous and comprehensive process of best practices, including stringent compliance measures and robust systems, to ensure that management actions taken now will yield long-term value. The goal is a resilient framework that can adapt to challenges and opportunities and foster strong, positive relationships.”
Johann Klopper – Asset Manager at Moolman Group
Boosting the Fourways Mall management team, Moolman Group has appointed a new General Manager, Juan Palm. New to the mall’s team from 1 July 2024 but a veteran at Moolman Group, Juan is a seasoned professional with over a dozen years of experience in property management and leasing for South Africa’s biggest and most prestigious real estate portfolios. Juan grew up frequenting the Fourways Mall and fondly recalls fun times spent enjoying its movies and entertainment. He brings a wealth of knowledge and a personal passion for retail property management to his new role as the General Manager of Fourways Mall.
Juan Palm – New GM of Fourways Mall
In addition to his property career, Juan’s background as a provincial-level rugby player instilled in him the discipline and team-centric mindset necessary for this undertaking. “To successfully manage an asset of this size, you have to be a team player. Working together and getting everyone’s buy-in is going to be important for getting Fourways Mall to where it needs to be,” Juan asserts.
Juan’s leadership style, which emphasises teamwork, is valuable in navigating the complexities of this extensive project for the mall’s management. Over his career, he has consistently demonstrated the ability to lead retail properties to success with strategic planning and a hands-on attitude.
He adds, “Fourways Mall is surrounded by one of the most affluent areas in South Africa – its potential growth opportunity is immense! Being a part of the fantastic team that is unlocking this potential by finding new ways for the mall to resonate with, and reflect its community, is an exhilarating opportunity. The sheer motivation and dedication of everyone involved in driving the mall’s success is truly inspiring and contagious.”