Set to open in November 2026, Leroy Merlin Cornubia signals renewed investor confidence in eThekwini and the province, with this R220-million new-build investment in Durban’s northern development corridor.
“This flagship in Cornubia is the first step in a broader plan for future development and expansion in KwaZulu-Natal,” said Patrycja Pelowska, Senior Project Manager for Leroy Merlin.
He added: “The store will not only create local employment opportunities but will also bring accessible, innovative home-improvement solutions closer to the communities of KZN.”
Leroy Merlin’s parent company, Adeo Group, is the third-largest home-improvement group globally.
The milestone development is being delivered in partnership with eThekwini Municipality and local property investment company Fundamentum Property Group.
This investment represents one of Durban’s most positive foreign direct investment announcements in recent years, particularly as the City works to rebuild, reposition, and accelerate growth, following a challenging socio-economic period.
EThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba said: “Today marks another important milestone in our journey to build a strong, resilient, and diverse economy. We are proud to welcome Leroy Merlin to our City through this significant strategic investment. The commencement of construction on their new 10 000 m² retail facility will not only transform this area into a vibrant construction site but will also create much-needed job opportunities for the local community.”
Mayor Xaba added that today’s sod-turning marks the beginning of eight planned development phases under the full ownership of Cornubia Business Park (Pty) Ltd.
“This sod-turning is more than the start of construction. It is the rebirth of the Cornubia Town Centre Precinct, a once-dormant area that will soon flourish into a vibrant, modern urban centre. It symbolises confidence in the future of eThekwini’s economy,” Mayor Xaba said.
The 10,000 m² store becomes the first anchor investment enabling the rollout of the broader Cornubia Business Park precinct, an initiative expected to spark over R2.5-billion in new top-structure development value once the full node is built out.
Councillor Thembo Ntuli, Chair of the Economic Development and Planning Committee, said: “This development will inject R300 million in initial private capital, with bulk earthworks already underway. It is expected to create 2 500 construction jobs and 1 200 permanent jobs within Ward 102, stimulate new local logistics, supply chain and commercial activity in the precinct, and anchor future investments expected to exceed R3 billion, generating an estimated R120 million in Municipal rates revenue annually.”
Fundamentum has played a pivotal role in securing Leroy Merlin’s entry into the KZN market.
With landmark developments that have brought new retail and service infrastructure into historically underserved areas, Fundamentum continues to invest in long-term economic growth, urban regeneration, and community upliftment across the municipality.
“Bringing an international brand of this calibre to Durban underscores our commitment to unlocking new opportunities for the city and its people,” said Carlos Correia, CEO of Fundamentum.
“As a large-format, international retailer with a global footprint, Leroy Merlin’s entry sends a strong positive signal about Durban and the region’s competitiveness, the strength of its consumer base, and the attractiveness of its long-term development pipeline.”
The 10,000 m² store becomes the first anchor investment enabling the rollout of the broader Cornubia Business Park precinct, an initiative expected to spark over R2.5-billion in new top-structure development value once the full node is built out.
Infrastructure costs to activate the land is estimated at R270-million.
This investment underscores Durban’s position as a competitive, investor-friendly city and marks a significant step toward building a resilient, inclusive economy.
Investment opportunities in Durban
The Cornubia Town Centre Precinct (CTC) is part of the larger Cornubia Integrated Development, a catalytic project launched in 2011 to stimulate economic growth in the North of eThekwini. The CTC Precinct offers 230,000 m² of development rights and occupies prime real estate at the N2/M41 quadrant, just 19 km from the Port of Durban.
This positions Cornubia as a future logistics and commercial hub for northern Durban and KwaZulu-Natal, strengthening the province’s role in the N2/N3 economic corridors.
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