Roy Cokayne
THE VAAL Mall in Vanderbijlpark, which has been the premier shopping destination in the Vaal triangle since opening nine years ago, is undergoing a R420 million revamp and expansion.
Co-owned by a company within the Flanagan & Gerard Property Group and Sycom Property Fund, the aim of the revamp and expansion is to ensure it remains the preferred and dominant regional shopping centre destination in the greater Vaal area.
Construction on the make-over and expansion project, which will increase the size of the mall by 15 000m2 to 65 000m2, began in September. The first phase was completed at the end of last month.
The focus of the second phase, which started at the end of March, is the expansion of the mall and is scheduled to be completed in March next year.
The expansion will result in a new Ster Kinekor cinema complex added together with new stores, eateries, the expansion of several existing big brand stores and three new levels of parking.
The upgrade of the existing mall involves new tiles, lighting and fresh paint plus additional restroom facilities with the expansion resulting in the number of retail and other outlets at the centre increasing to more than 140.
Jonathan Shutte, a leasing executive at Flanagan & Gerard, said that construction had gone according to plan and the first phase opened at the end of last month.
Shutte said that the first phase of the mall’s overhaul included the new three-level structured parking area, the extension of Entrance 1 for the expansion of Dis-Chem and a new Sheet Street and Cash Crusaders and expansion of Toys R Us/Babies R Us.
“The core development, which is the 15 000m2 retail expansion, is now under way. A seven-screen Ster Kinekor cinema complex is an exciting new addition, which will include a Ster Kinekor Prestige cinema, bringing the ultimate cinema experience to the Vaal,” he said.
In addition to Dis-Chem’s expansion, other major existing tenants that will enlarge their footprint at the centre include Edgars, Woolworths, Truworths and The Foschini Group.
Brands making their debut include Mr Price Sport, Ster Kinekor and new restaurants and entertainment, details of which have not yet been disclosed.
Demand
Paul Gerard, the managing director of Flanagan & Gerard, said the main factor behind Vaal Mall’s expansion was the exceptional demand for retail space, largely driven by existing retailers who wanted to bring their very high trading densities to a more manageable level.
“We are bolstering the entertainment component of the mall with the introduction of a new Ster Kinekor cinema complex, which will attract more visitors and lengthen shopper dwell time. This will no doubt result in better performance for all retailers within the mall,” he said.
David Falck of Sycom Property Fund said the additional R420m investment in Vaal Mall would ensure a fresh and modern look and feel throughout the centre.
More than 270 construction workers are involved in the project, of which a sizable portion is from the local community. Giuricich Bros Construction is the contractor on the project.