Nine Yards Officially Opens as Johannesburg’s New Green Town Square

A New Lifestyle Destination Takes Root in Rosebank

A bold new chapter for 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. 

How Nine Yards is Transforming The Parks 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. 

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. 

Nature, Architecture and Community at the Heart of Nine Yards

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 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 

“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.” 

“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. 

“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.