10/05/2025
ROOTED IN LOCAL LIFE
At DORPSTRAAT, we create storied retail centres rooted in community - places that feel like they’ve always belonged. These are spaces where everyday moments become more effortless, more beautiful, and more connected.
With every project, we aim to uplift the community and honour what matters - be it people, place, or in this case, three beloved old trees. At , we preserved two heritage oaks and an old pepper tree, carefully designing the centre around them. This is how we approach development: with care, intention, and a deep respect for local life.
Set alongside the Estate, this centre blends into a landscape of vineyards, with the Drakenstein mountains and Paarlberg forming a timeless backdrop.
Optenhorst Village brings together a beautiful new concept store, , convenience stores, and restaurants in a setting that’s easily accessible, walkable, and locally rooted. It’s a vital part of the neighbourhood fabric, complementing the nearby MediClinic and .
And while community is always at the heart of what we do, the detail matters too. Optenhorst Village carries through the estate’s equestrian and modern barn-inspired architectural language - a shared visual identity that creates continuity and a strong sense of place. Shaped by regional character and thoughtful design, with special small touches, generous public spaces, and a human-scale approach, it’s a centre designed to serve - and to belong.
This project gave us the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded partners - most notably, the team at , Reefrock Retail Fund, and the Carsten brothers: Ian, Hein, and André. Together, we set out to create a place where daily life flows easily. A connected, considered experience rooted in its setting.
