Johannesburg's Lancaster Mall Becomes a Ghost Town After Final Store Shuts Down

• Lancaster Shopping Centre in Johannesburg is now empty after its last tenant, Top Deck, closed in December 2025
• Once home to Pick'n Pay, Planet Fitness, and various eateries, the four-storey mall struggled after losing its anchor tenants
• Owner Fieldspace Property Group is exploring redevelopment or leasing opportunities to revive the vacant property

GAUTENG- A multi-million-rand shopping centre in Johannesburg now stands empty after its final tenant closed at the end of 2025.

According to the Daily Investor, Lancaster Shopping Centre, located on Jan Smuts Avenue in Craighall, sits in a prime area within 10 kilometres of Hyde Park and Sandhurst. Once marketed as a convenient neighbourhood hub with ample parking, high visibility and 24-hour security, the four-storey mall has fallen silent.

Anchor tenants are gone, and the mall follows.

The centre previously housed well-known anchor tenants, including Pick'n Pay and Planet Fitness, along with restaurants and speciality stores. In 2022, owner Fieldspace Property Group invested in a refurbishment to modernise the property. The revamp opened the building up to Jan Smuts Avenue, added copper cladding and vintage design touches, and aimed to reposition it as a contemporary community destination.

Read also

Heineken’s 6,000 job cuts raise fears for South Africa workforce

At the time, the upgrades were expected to draw steady foot traffic from nearby residential areas and surrounding office parks.

However, after Pick'n Pay and Planet Fitness left, the centre struggled to recover. One by one, tenants moved out. By late 2025, only a single store remained.

Top Deck: The last shop to close

The last store to close, Top Deck, shut its doors in December 2025. Specialising in collectible card games such as Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon cards, and related accessories, the shop also hosted leagues and tournaments that attracted gaming enthusiasts from across Johannesburg. While it was the mall’s sole remaining tenant, Top Deck’s unique appeal added a touch of character to an otherwise quiet and empty building.

Today, the once-revamped Lancaster Shopping Centre stands vacant as Fieldspace Property Group looks at redevelopment options. The company says it is open to joint ventures, redevelopment proposals or leasing the entire building to a large anchor tenant.

For now, the lights are off, the escalators still, and a mall that once promised convenience and community waits for a second chance.

Read also

Iconic Hilton Durban closes doors after management deal abruptly ends

A man shares how online shopping negatively impacted malls.

In related news, the impact of online shopping on physical retail spaces was highlighted by Afrikaans communications and lifestyle coach Louw Breytenbach, who lives in Florida with his American husband. On 24 August 2025, he shared a TikTok video showing just how empty the mall he visited was, sparking reactions from viewers around the world. Internet users were surprised by the stark interior, with many commenting on how shopping habits in other countries have shifted dramatically toward digital platforms.

Soshanguve Mall opens its doors

As one mall closes its doors, another opens with a wave of excitement from locals. South Africans got their first look inside the new Soshanguve Mall when a video posted on X on 17 November 2025 went viral. The clip showcased a modern, spacious interior with wide walkways, multiple floors, and thoughtfully arranged seating areas that promise a comfortable shopping experience. Boasting a mix of clothing outlets, food courts, and lifestyle stores, the mall is set to become a key hub for shopping, entertainment, and convenience in the township.

Read also

Challenges of Johannesburg's hijacked buildings: Mayor Morero faces social backlash

Briefly News also reported that the opening of Soshanguve Mall drew excitement from the local community, with crowds flocking to explore the new shopping space. Influencer KG, known for surprising strangers with large cash gifts, made an appearance, attracting even more attention and energy to the event. TikTok videos of the opening captured the massive turnout, leaving South Africans amazed at the enthusiasm surrounding the township’s latest retail hub.

Source: Briefly News