Roy Cokayne
The development of new retail centres shows no signs of slowing down.
The construction of a R900 million regional shopping mall in Thohoyandou in Limpopo and R850m regional shopping mall in Springs is scheduled to commence soon.
The 55 000m² Thavhani Mall in Thohoyandou is being developed jointly by Flanagan & Gerard Property Investments and Thavhani Property Investments, with construction expected to start next month.
The 52 000m² Springs Mall is to be built at the Spings Eco Park and is being developed and owned by a joint venture comprising Flanagan & Gerard Developments, Blue Crane EcoMall and the family of Giuricich Brothers.
Patrick Flanagan, an executive director of Flanagan & Gerard, said Thavhani Mall’s tenant mix would be led by two supermarket anchors, three fashion anchors and at least two major banks. The mix was designed to provide shoppers with a wide and appealing choice of retail to serve the needs of local and regional residents.
“It will introduce several new retailers to Thohoyandou and include a variety of fashion, accessories, furniture, electronics, health and beauty and much more,” he said.
“It will also include a lively food court with restaurants, which will become an exciting meeting place in the mall.”
The mall is scheduled to open in April 2016.
“The social and economic influence of Thavhani Mall will have a substantial impact on the town, the district and the region. The mall will create an estimated 1 500 to 2 000 sustainable jobs after it opens,” he said.
Flanagan said the mall was set to be the first step in creating an exciting mixed-use node, with future phases including drive-through restaurants, an office park and big-box retail.
Construction on the Springs Mall on a site in Casseldale will commence soon and it is expected to open in April 2016.
The development is the brainchild of Springs businessman Franco D’Arrigo, who said the social and economic impact of the mall would extend well beyond the borders of Springs and create an estimated 500 to 700 jobs during the construction phase and 1 200 to 1 500 sustainable jobs after it opened.
Flanagan said the mall was set to become the region’s dominant shopping centre and had all the ingredients for an exceptional retail development.
It would benefit from excellent location, access and visibility in a growing node inhabited mostly by aspirant and upmarket residents.
“Springs Mall is being designed to offer its shoppers a wide and appealing choice of retail. Its tenant mix will be led by two supermarket anchors and two fashion anchors. The centre will offer a full line-up of national retailers and services,” he said.
It will provide free open-air parking on both its shopping levels and has been designed to provide easy shopper access from both parkade levels.