A Landmark R750m Investment Lands in Waterfall City

On the 3rd of February 2026, Fireroom at Mall of Africa became the stage for what could prove to be one of Gauteng’s most significant hospitality announcements in recent years. Against a backdrop of quiet confidence and sharp business intent, Attacq Limited and Rabie Property Group formally unveiled the Waterfall City Conference Centre and Hotel, a R750 million development set to reshape South Africa’s business events landscape.

The investment stands among the largest recent capital injections into the province’s hospitality sector, arriving at a time when business tourism is once again under scrutiny as a driver of economic growth. This was not positioned as speculative ambition, but as a deliberate expansion of a proven model.

“Century City has shown what is possible when conferencing and hospitality form part of a carefully planned mixed-use precinct. It becomes an economic engine for the node, not just a venue. Partnering with Attacq in Waterfall City allows us to take that proven model and apply it in a precinct that’s already built for scale, security, and long-horizon growth,” said Leon Cohen, Group Chairman of Rabie Property Group.

The team behind the decade-long success of Century City Conference Centre and Hotels in Cape Town will operate the new Waterfall City development. That continuity matters. Over the past ten years, the Cape Town operation has built a reputation for disciplined execution, consistent service standards and operational precision. The Johannesburg expansion does not represent a departure. It represents scale.

“This R750 million development is an example of how we continue to unlock long-term value within the Waterfall City precinct through strategic capital allocation and solid partnerships,” said Jackie van Niekerk, CEO of Attacq. “As a business, Attacq remains focused on disciplined growth and on investing in assets that strengthen the precinct’s position as South Africa’s most connected, future-fit mixed-use destination.”

Gary Koetser, Chief Executive Officer of both Century City Conference Centre and Hotels and the newly announced Waterfall City Conference Centre and Hotel, described the move as an extension of an established formula rather than a reinvention.

“Waterfall City Conference Centre and Hotels are building the future of business events, telling the story of economic confidence and tech innovation through a premium offering,” he said.

The scale of the project reflects that ambition. The main conference venue will accommodate up to 1,350 delegates in a single, column-free space, while the broader facility will host up to 2,000 delegates across 16 versatile venues.

Expansive foyers will allow exhibitions and conferencing to operate in tandem, while open-air venues will cater to cocktail functions and outdoor events. The adjoining hotel will feature approximately 180 rooms and apartments, an all-day dining restaurant overlooking Waterfall City and Johannesburg, a gym, spa, swimming pool and private dining spaces.

This expansion also marks the introduction of African Rain Collection, a new hospitality portfolio designed to carry forward the legacy established in Cape Town while supporting the group’s growing footprint in Gauteng.

“The launch of African Rain Collection marks a natural evolution of what we have been building over the past decade,” said Koetser. “Our focus is not growth for growth’s sake, but thoughtful expansion where we can create real value for our clients, partners, and the precincts we operate in.”

Every square metre, Koetser explained, has been designed with operational efficiency in mind. In an era where safety, connectivity and infrastructure resilience are non-negotiable, the development has been engineered accordingly. Eight hours of generator backup power, uninterrupted electricity systems, three days of backup water storage with the potential to extend to five, and integrated solar solutions are all part of the blueprint.

The choice of location remains strategic. Waterfall City has evolved into one of Gauteng’s most significant corporate nodes, with direct highway access linking Pretoria, Sandton and Johannesburg, and more than 800 dedicated parking bays connecting directly to Mall of Africa’s existing structure.

“As you said, the location,” Koetser remarked during the discussion. “It’s safe and secure. Easy access to the highway, easy access to Pretoria, Sandton and Johannesburg. This city is becoming a very important corporate hub.”

Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa

For Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, Chief Executive Officer of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, the development represents more than additional capacity. It strengthens the country’s competitive position in the global MICE sector.

“When Gary called me and told me what was going to happen, I thought, what a place,” Tshivhengwa said. “This area has grown from strength to strength. Ten or fifteen years ago it was completely different. Now this is central.”

“This is going to be another iconic asset that we can talk about when we go overseas and try to convince events to come to South Africa,” he added. “We will talk about this. We will talk about the hotels that are going to be built. This is a good addition for tourism and for this area.”

The economic implications extend beyond headline investment figures.

“You’ve got job creation from construction,” Tshivhengwa noted, “but long term it’s the jobs that are going to be there for years and years to come. People working at the hotel, at the conference centre. Entrepreneurs offering services. Shuttle companies. Suppliers. Those are the jobs that will remain.”

Koetser also emphasised community integration as a deliberate priority. Local artists from surrounding areas such as Soweto and Alexandra will have opportunities to display their work within the venue.

“What is this building doing for the community?” he asked. “It’s not just the employees within the business. It’s the suppliers, truck drivers delivering food.”

The symbolism of the launch reinforced the long-term vision. Guests were invited to lay personalised bricks that will form part of the foundation of the first building.

“Every single person here today will be part of history,” said MC Ryan O’Connor. “You are going to lay down a brick and be part of the foundation of the first ever building construction of Waterfall City Conference Centre and Hotels.”

Construction timelines have since evolved, with the development now set to be fully operational by January 2028. Bookings are already open for conferences and events from that date.

South Africa’s business tourism industry has long relied on Cape Town as its flagship events destination. With Waterfall City Conference Centre and Hotel, Gauteng is making a calculated bid to anchor that narrative in Johannesburg as well.

This is not simply another venue entering the market. It is a coordinated statement about economic confidence, operational discipline and the future of large-scale business gatherings in the country.

If delivered as outlined, it may well become one of the defining hospitality developments of the decade.