Nine Yards comes fully to life in May

A bold new chapter for Johannesburg’s Rosebank and The Parks is flourishing on the corner of Jan Smuts Avenue and Chester Road, where Nine Yards – Johannesburg’s new green town square – is rapidly becoming one of the city’s most talked-about destinations.

Following an overwhelmingly positive response from the Joburg community since its phased opening began in December 2025, Nine Yards will be fully operational in May 2026, with all retail and lifestyle tenants open.

Already embraced by locals as a place to meet, wander, work, shop and unwind, Nine Yards is delivering on its vision of creating the kind of urban environment the city has long desired: open, green, neighbourly and rich in creativity.

A new kind of urban precinct

The precinct, which expands the historic site long associated with one of Joburg’s best-known nurseries, now encompasses nine surrounding properties thoughtfully reimagined into a contemporary mixed-use destination. Rather than offering more of the same, Nine Yards has introduced a new kind of city experience – one that is sensory, walkable, layered and deeply connected to nature.

Visitors are responding enthusiastically to the precinct’s curated mix of more than 30 tenants spanning coffee culture, artisanal food, fashion, interior design, wellness, fresh produce, contemporary retail and creative spaces. Morning coffees beneath the trees, leisurely lunches, boutique browsing and everyday errands now unfold within a setting designed to feel calm, elegant and distinctly local.

Architecture rooted in memory and movement

Nine Yards was conceived as a system rather than a single architectural object — a carefully choreographed environment that prioritises movement, gathering and discovery. The defining intervention was the deliberate act of taking down walls between yards to connect them, transforming a collection of separated properties into one continuous precinct. In an inverted reading of the site, the spaces between buildings become the primary architecture, with the built edges receding into a supporting role, framing the social life of the development.

The gardens, still in their final stages of planting, already hint at the spectacular suburban Johannesburg landscapes to come. As the greenery matures, Nine Yards will offer an ever-richer garden experience woven through its walkways and gathering spaces – a living expression of Joburg’s unique outdoor lifestyle.

Design inspired by Johannesburg’s green identity

Winding through the development is a 450-metre urban promenade conceived by award-winning landscape artist Patrick Watson – an immersive, textured journey inspired by Johannesburg’s great gardens and green spaces. Architecture by Matthew Miller of MILarchi Architects complements this vision, combining restored structures with intuitive contemporary additions that feel confident, refined and unmistakably Joburg.

“Nine Yards is built around a simple but powerful idea: Johannesburg deserves places that feel human, hopeful and full of possibility,” says Timothy Sammons, CEO of Cadastral Capital. “The response so far has shown how much people value thoughtful spaces where they can gather, connect and enjoy the city differently.”

A precinct built on legacy and vision

“This precinct carries deep personal meaning for me, with a legacy rooted both within my family and alongside my partner, Arnold Forman and shareholder, Braddley Benatar. My late uncle owned The Gardenshop, while much of the surrounding property was acquired by us and has now been invested into the concept defined by Cadastral as a green zone in the urban area of Johannesburg. We have always believed in creating places that add lasting value to the city and uplift the communities around them. Nine Yards is a meaningful expression of the Johannesburg we all aspire to. Together, Arnold Forman, Timothy Sammons, Michael Hunt and I have drawn on a rich combination of experience, creativity, perspective and shared values to bring this vision to life,” says Marc Lubner.

Centrally located, beautifully landscaped and increasingly vibrant by the week, Nine Yards is giving rise to the Johannesburg we all want – greener, kinder, more connected and full of life.