A planned smart city in Stellenbosch is already taking shape, with a major industrial customer opening a new warehouse and offices at the project, while bulk infrastructure work is underway.
Plans for The Bridge at Stellenbosch were first announced in late 2024. It is backed by the Stellenbosch Municipality and the Western Cape’s tourism trade and investment promotion agency, Wesgro.
The project has been described as “first-of-its-kind” in Stellenbosch with a seamless blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, designed around nature and modern conveniences.
The project is being rolled out on a 340-hectare piece of land in Muldersvlei between Cape Town, Paarl, and the Stellenbosch Winelands.
The founders argue that this location will offer unparalleled connectivity and prime positioning for growth, especially for light industrial tenants who require quick transit times, reliable infrastructure, and visibility.
The project will comprise three main precincts — residential, industrial, and mixed-use. The industrial precinct already has its first occupant, Smith Power Equipment, a key player in the agricultural sector.
The company broke ground on a new warehouse and office in July 2024. These were completed within a year and opened in May 2025.
Work has also started on roads and bulk infrastructure preparation for the broader project.
The most recent major development on this front was construction firms ASLA and Smart Civils breaking ground on a dual carriageway railway underpass from Old Paarl Road in late November 2025.
The underpass is expected to be completed by December 2026 and will be the gateway to the development as the main N1 and R101 highways are on the opposite side of the railway.
Buses will also be used to transport people between the railway station and stops within the mixed-use precinct.
The residential section is planned to offer up to 2,800 units, which will consist of a wide variety of low and high-density units to cater towards students, families, and retirees.
These are not yet on sale, however, as Stellenbosch Bridge Properties is still engaging with developers regarding plans for this precinct.
The mixed-use precinct is poised to a wide range of different businesses, including retailers, a hospital, a school, hotels, a wedding venue, and conferencing facilities.
The project’s founders are aiming to offer comprehensive educational facilities wth foundation phase, primary, and high school levels, within walking distance of the residential precinct.
Recreational facilities will include a Piazza with coffee shops and restaurants, nature trails, vineyards offering wine tastings and tours, and a sporting hub.
An innovation and university precinct within the mixed-use precinct is also set to play host to Stellenbosch University’s LaunchLab, an incubator for startups.
The Bridge’s architectural design will pay homage to the Cape heritage, taking cues from elements like the surrounding vistas of the Cape Winelands and many mountains.
Residents’ health and wellness will be a key priority in the design and layout of the development, which will provide for extensive natural green spaces for relaxing and outdoor activities.
“Leisurely walks, running, and cycling can be enjoyed along designated tracks around Klapmuts Hill overlooking the development,” the project’s brochure explains.
The project will also be partially powered by a 10MW fixed-tilt solar PV power plant to reduce the development’s long-term carbon footprint.
The entire project is expected to take between 15 and 20 years to complete, which the founders argue will give it room to adapt to changing market needs.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Hanno Labuschagne
Dieser Artikel ist neu veröffentlicht von / This article is republished from: My Broadband, 25.01.2026
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