Wonderboom Junction is situated in the Magaliesberg mountain range, next to the Apies River. The open-air mall is well-suited to the picturesque setting and is a family-favourite destination. In 2008-2009 HPA worked in a joint venture with Boogertman & Partners Architects to design and construct the Wonderboom Shopping Mall. The retail centre and adjacent area is named after the Wonderboom (Wonder Tree), a unique 1,000-year-old wild fig tree (Ficus salicifolia), situated 500 m to the south of the mall.
The design was inspired by the Wonderboom: tree-like timber structures provide a covered pedestrian walkway, forming the spine of the building layout. The design and layout embrace the picturesque surroundings and allow for ample natural daylight and views of the Magaliesberg and Apies River.
The Wonderboom Nature Reserve is the home of the Wonderboom. The tree was discovered by the Voortrekkers in 1836 under the leadership of Hendrik Potgieter who named it. Legend has it that the Voortrekkers and Chief Tshwane met under the Wonderboom. Chief Tshwane was the son of early Nguni migrants, and his name is immortalised by naming the municipality that governs the historic capital of South Africa after him.
