A New Chapter for Leaping Frog in Fourways

Leaping Frog Retail Centre is located on a prominent “gateway” site at the corner of Winnie Mandela Drive (formerly William Nicol Drive) and Mulbarton Road in the Fourways/Lonehill area of northern Johannesburg.

- 

The brief called for transforming an existing convenience retail centre into a revitalised, modern destination that remains connected to its suburban setting and the daily routines of its community.

BAR Architects adopted an approach that emphasises continuity, visibility, and shared experience rather than just a facelift.

During the design process, the firm carefully retained the existing vehicular and pedestrian access arrangements, ensured ample parking, and aimed to improve the centre’s integration with the surrounding circulation routes and residential neighbourhoods.

The redevelopment was completed in approximately 12 months, allowing the stores to continue operating during the refurbishment.

BAR’s design approach emphasised material warmth and human scale, using wood-look composite cladding, gentle gables, and articulated porticoes to unify the separate retail volumes into a cohesive and welcoming architecture.