After two rounds of listing, Root44, a Stellenbosch market on the R44 to Somerset West, is still for sale. It closed at the end of June 2026, following a dispute between Stellenbosch Municipality and market management, SMF News reported in July.
After going through a process of sealed bidding with Galetti Corporate Real Estate, Stellenbosch market Root44 has remained for sale since September 2025, according to Root44 management. Root44 closed indefinitely at the end of June. PHOTO: Hélène Wessels
Located on the Audacia Wine Farm, the market and wine emporium was bought by the Daxcon Development Trust in 2017, according to Tarryn Barnard, member of the Root44 management team.
SMF News previously reported that Daxcon Development Trust had put the property up for sale in July 2025 via a sealed bidding process.
Facilitated and advertised by Galetti Corporate Real Estate on their website, Root44 was described as a “stand-out property” of 5.1-hectares with a 4 830m² building, and over R200 million having been invested into the property since 2016.
According to property practitioner Albie Stoeder, a property such as Root44, the Stellenbosch based market that closed in June this year, can stay on the market for years before it is sold. This is due to potential buyers having to ensure that planning is ready and zoning is in place. PHOTO: Hélène Wessels
After final offers closed on 31 August 2025, the property stayed on the market since September 2025, Barnard told SMF News this week.
“The decision to sell the property is a private commercial decision. We do not intend to elaborate further on the reasons for the sale,” said Barnard when asked which factors led to the sale of the property now.
Root44 falls in the “Golden Triangle” of Stellenbosch according to Albie Stoeder, a property practitioner for Chas Everitt Winelands.
According to property practitioner Albie Stoeder, the Root44 property falls in an area of Stellenbosch where high volumes of traffic pass through, making commercial properties along the R44 highly sought-after. PHOTO: Hélène Wessels
According to him, large volumes of traffic pass between Stellenbosch and Somerset West via the R44, making restaurants, wine farms and stalls successful in this area. This also makes commercial properties along this road highly sought-after.
It comes as no surprise to Stoeder why even a developed property like Root44 hasn’t been sold after a year.
“That type of property can stay in the market for up to five years before it is sold,” he said. “[Potential buyers] must have their planning ready. Zoning must be in place.”
Root44, a market located on the corner of the R44 and Annandale Road just outside Stellenbosch, closed at the end of June after a dispute between market management and Stellenbosch Municipality, as per previous SMF News reporting. PHOTO: Hélène Wessels
“Stellenbosch Municipality remains committed to creating an environment that supports investment, economic growth and job creation,” said Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson for Stellenbosch Municipality. “The Municipality is fully aware of the economic importance of developments such as Root44 and the value they bring to local businesses, traders and employment.”