Ground Broken On R250 Million Mall for Edendale Mall

Written by allafrica.com

EDENDALE, a densely populated area of Pietermaritzburg that lacks sufficient retail facilities, is expected to benefit from the R250m Edendale Mega City shopping centre scheduled for completion in September next year.
The project is a black empowerment joint venture between Pietermaritzburg property developer Rob Alexander of Ducatus Properties and Tebogo Mogashoa, CEO of Tebfin Developments.


Mr Mogashoa was a driving force behind the Pan Africa Shopping Centre in the Johannesburg township of Alexandra.

"This ... will improve the quality of life of people living in Edendale. Residents will no longer have to travel far to purchase preferred brands and necessities," Mr Mogashoa said. It would create business opportunities and jobs, and enable the transfer of skills.

It would also maximise sustainable economic empowerment and provide a stable platform for more growth for the area, he said.

Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business CEO Andrew Layman said Edendale had about 500000 people, compared with 160 000 in the inner part of the provincial capital, at the time of Edendale's incorporation into the city. The centre meant people would no longer not have to carry shopping bags all the way from the city centre. Edendale has mainly spaza shops.

The development broke ground yesterday after the awarding of the earthworks contract to Cyclone Construction. KwaZulu-Natal developers and project managers, G5 & Mark 11- Development Management - the developers of Umlazi Mega City and Philani Mall, both in Umlazi on the outskirts of Durban - are the development's project managers.

It will bring much-needed retail services, with a variety of tenants and a food court, to the area. A banking mall and a custom-built taxi facility are also planned.

The centre is being developed in two phases of 18000 square metres and 8000 square metres, though with retail demand growing, the two phases could be built simultaneously.

Mr Layman said the only negative aspect of the development was that the money it generated tended to leave the community because of the big national tenants.

Still, the advantages of proper retail facilities in the area far outweighed the disadvantages, and the project might also form a nucleus for other business developments.

Signed offers received for the centre include Spar, Cashbuild, Cambridge, Boxer and most of the retailers from Umlazi Mega City and Philani Mall. This includes strong representation from the banks, leading fashion brands, fast-food outlets and furniture shops.

There are plans to expand beyond 26000 square metres, with a view to bringing in motor retailers and allied businesses as well.

Wetland highlights eco-efficient Edendale Mega City

Published: November 30, 2010

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Construction is underway at Edendale Mega City shopping centre in Pietermaritzburg.

Pietermaritzburg’s R250 million Edendale Mega City, which is set to meet the retail needs of the city’s under-serviced markets, is investing in the region’s natural environment during its development phase.

This investment will continue beyond its opening, which is scheduled for the third quarter of 2011.

“Edendale Mega City is being developed in a prime location on Pietermaritzburg’s former Mason’s Mill site and will bring an array of popular brands and choice retail products to the community,” say the developers, Rob Alexander of Ducatus Properties and Tebogo Mogashoa of Tebfin Developments.

“A strong conservation ethos is being applied throughout the development of this 26 000 m2 shopping centre, with the highlight being the design and creation of a wetland flanking the project. One of our priorities before we began the development of Edendale Mega City was to assess its impact on the environment and to identify methods of being environmentally respectful. An environmental impact assessment was undertaken, identifying the adjacent wetland as the key environmental focus. The wetland will serve as a buffer zone and a natural feature of the development.”

The 1,3ha wetland will attenuate stormwater flows coming from the centre and will also aid in the filtration of the centre’s runoff before it enters the nearby Msunduzi River. In addition, the wetland will offer a viable green outdoor space that will be welcomed and enjoyed by tenants and shoppers.

A palette of locally indigenous fauna and flora will feature in the wetlands alongside patches of reeds, rock piles and shallow ponds. Numerous opportunities were also identified for the conservation of natural vegetation from the site, says Susan Carter-Brown of Afzelia Environmental Consultants.

“Another important conservation element was the safe relocation of threatened indigenous plants, which occurred before the earthworks began,” she says.

“These plants include the African potato plant and members of the hyacinth family, which are now being tended to off-site. On completion of Edendale Mega City, the plants will be returned to site and used for landscaping and any remaining plants will be relocated to Bisley Nature Reserve.”

She says a detailed landscaping philosophy will be applied to the entire development. All appropriate areas will be rehabilitated with indigenous vegetation which will be sourced from local nurseries. The landscaped and wetland areas will be managed, and invasive alien plants and the sensitive use of herbicides will be constantly monitored.

“The movement towards environmental sustainability will extend beyond the development phase of Edendale Mega City, and green initiatives will be incorporated into the daily running of the centre,” says Mark Johnson, development and project manager of MC Props (Morgan Creek Properties), the project manager for Edendale Mega City.

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R450m mall in KZN
October 5 2011 at 11:47am
By Sharika Regchand



The opening of the R450 million Greater Edendale Mall in Pietermaritzburg last week, plus the major revamps of three other malls, has reflected the dynamic investor confidence in the capital city.

Greater Edendale Mall is the second-biggest shopping centre in Pietermaritzburg after the Liberty Midlands Mall, which itself is undergoing a multimillionrand expansion.

Other smaller centres, such as Scottsville Mall, Hayfields Mall and Cascades, are also undergoing multi-million facelifts to keep up with an increasingly competitive marketplace.

The 31 520m2 Greater Edendale Mall opened its doors amid much pomp and gaiety as thousands of enthusiastic visitors thronged to the centre.

It is the first major shopping centre in the underserviced areas of Edendale and Imbali and boasts more than 100 outlets.

The mall’s main anchor tenants include national retailers Shoprite and Pick n Pay.

Other major retail and food brands are Truworths, Edgars Active, Markhams, Jet, Legit, Mr Price, Vodacom, Cell C, Chicken Licken, Hungry Lion, Spur, McDonald’s and Steers.

A number of local retailers have also set up shop, including Poobie Naidoo Sports, Asmals, Miguel’s Bakery and Focus.

Most major banks are also there.

The landmark retail facility has created about 1 200 jobs and was one of the largest developments in the city’s history.

Melanie Veness, CEO of the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business, said the support for the mall was overwhelming.

“It is something that is needed in the area. People are very excited… the Greater Edendale Mall will no doubt serve as a catalyst for development in the area,” she said.

“Businesses who are not here will sit up and take notice that this is where they want to be,” Veness said, adding that the official opening of the mall was a historic moment for Edendale and the capital city.

Nandi Mandela, of New Ground Investment, who was one of the developers, said the site was perfect.

“Some of the townships in the country have been neglected for a very long time. It’s about time we have this type of development.

“We are confident that this type of investment will bring more investment into the area,” she said.

David Gengan, manager of investment promotion at the Msunduzi Municipality, said the opening of the mall was a realisation of a dream that dated back 10 years.

Gengan was also of the view that the mall would act as a catalyst to unlock the development potential in the area.

“Already developers have been making inquiries about the availability of land for development along Moses Mabhida Road, adjacent to the mall.

“The municipality will soon adopt a township regeneration strategy for Imbali, as well as a local area plan, which will see other projects being implemented using the government’s neighbourhood development grant,” he said.

John McCormick, of McCormick Property Development, which owns and developed the Greater Edendale Mall with Mandela, said his company began the emerging market business in 1983 by building in rural areas. “This was initially not an easy task, but today the company is involved in 48 centres throughout the country and we have our first mall in the KwaZulu-Natal capital.

“The old stadium, which was demolished, was useless. It is where this mall has been constructed… Now we have created a gem. I am very positive that this mall will do well,” added McCormick.

Meanwhile, the popular Scottsville Mall in the city centre is undergoing a major aesthetic and structural revamp.

It has been reported that the investment in the refurbishment amounted to about R33.5 million.

Niche suburban shopping centre Hayfields Mall is also being revamped. Its owners, the JSE-listed SA Corporate Real Estate Fund, was reportedly investing R17 million in the project.

Cascades, which was bought by well-known property developer Rob Alexander of Ducatus Property, is seeing a revival with upgrades to its Checkers and Clicks stores. It is also set to get a new Virgin Active Gym and a Vida e Caffé.

At the Liberty Midlands Mall, construction on the R50-million revamp is expected to be completed before the end of the year.

This includes an enclosure of the garden food court where an indoor funfair will open its doors, in addition to another extension, which will incorporate a new Dischem.

In addition to the current revamp, another major expansion is on the cards for the mall, which is in the process of being finalised. - The Mercury - Network supplement - page 1

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Leading retailers flock to Edendale Mall set to open on 29 Sep 2011

By SA Commercial Prop News 01/08/2011 13:38:00

Edendale Mall, set to open on 29 September 2011, has attracted an impressive line-up of leading retailers to this currently under-serviced node, which is bursting with consumer potential.

The R450 million Edendale Mall is the only regional shopping centre in the fastest growing township in Pietermaritzburg Kwa-Zulu Natal. Edendale is situated about 7km south west of the Pietermaritzburg CBD – an important hub serving smaller towns and rural areas in the surroundings.

Retail strategists and leasing consultants, Retail Network Services, explain that the mall is superbly cited in what is destined to be the new retail hub and CBD of Edendale.

Located on the corner of Edendale Road and Dambuza/Mount Patridge the new 31 520sqm Edendale Mall will connect with an existing value centre of 6,000sqm and incorporate taxi rank of 8,000sqm.

“The entire node will exceed 40,000sqm and offer consumers 110 exciting shops served by ample parking and public transport,” says Gavin Tagg of Retail Network Services.

Developed by skilled property developers McCormick Property Development and designed by MDS Architects, Edendale Mall is bringing South Africa’s and Kwa-Zulu Natal’s best loved retailers to local shoppers.

It will feature a high portion of national retailers serving a broad spectrum of shoppers – all creating an appealing one-stop-shopping experiencing. Anchor tenants Shoprite and Pick n Pay will both trade from impressive shops larger than 3,500sqm.

“To-date, the entire mall is 96% let and is set to provide a highly accessible and diverse shopping experience where shoppers are able to meet their everyday and specialist needs,” says Gavin.

Extensive research undertaken prior to the development of Edendale Mall indicates that the area exceeds the required critical mass of consumers for a regional shopping centre. “It is situated in a densely populated and rapidly growing community of people demanding quality retail and services, who are currently starved of significant retail in the immediate vicinity” says Gavin.

In fact, it was the superb potential of the area that originally attracted Edendale Mall’s developers to the site.

“The mall is situated in the heart of a number of residential suburbs with high household densities and in proximity to complimentary facilities including a provincial hospital, railway, schools, university and police station,” notes Jason McCormick. “Furthermore it is located on a bustling road with high traffic volumes, excellent visibility, good access and superb public transport facilities.”

Located on an existing taxi route, a formal taxi rank and commuter transport facility is seamlessly integrated into the modern, well-designed, attractive shopping centre. A design highlight is the mall’s inviting central entrance inspired by a tree – a point of meeting, socialising, relaxing and refreshment.

Shoppers can enjoy fashion forward variety, including popular SA favourites Jet, Mr Price, Truworths, Pep, Ackermans, Identity, Legit, Markhams and Exact. For sports lovers there will be Total Sports, Edgars Active and Poobie Naidoo. Shanghai Fashion, City Girl, Fashion World, Jealousy, CB Stores, Asmall’s, Ideals, M J Fashions, Jam Clothing, Saint Mary, John Craig, Webbers, Wantash Leather Shop, FX, Studio 88, Fashion 4 U, Express and Divine Boutique will all add to this impressive fashion mix.

National leasing manager for Retail Network Services, Jonathan Tagg, has identified the potential for a number of regional fashion retailers to benefit from the few remaining positions available in the mall. “KZN fashion retailing is unique in its value and range, and extremely popular with shoppers in Edendale Mall’s catchment area,” says Jonathan.

The mall’s fashion flair will be complemented by accessories from Becca, jewellery from Sterns and Selgro Jewellers and footwear from Franco Ceccato, Rage, Bata, Sole Base and Dodos.

Caring for the health and beauty of Edendale Mall’s shoppers are Clicks, Plessisaer Pharmacy, Dr Bhagwan, Optical Inc, Dynamic Vision, SA Fragrance, Perfect Scents, Imvelo Beauty Salon, Focus cosmetics, Exclusive Hair, Kinky Hair and La Pearle Hair.

Edendale Mall’s impressive list of furniture and decor retailers includes Price & Pride, Joshua Doore, Beares, Lewis, Bed King, Morkels Electric Express, OK Furniture, Russels, Ellerines, Rugs Original and Sheet Street.

Speciality retail needs will be met by Vodacom, Cell C, Smart Cell and Sound, Harris Cellular, electronics store Ghetto HiFi, Lock n Key Solutions, Weddings Unlimited, Ony le Edy Internet Cafe, and Postnet.

The vast range of banking and financial services includes Absa, Standard, Nedbank, Old Mutual, African Bank, FinBond, SA Multiloan and Capitec Bank, as well as ATMs.

The vibrant fast food court at Edendale Mall, with outdoor seating, features King Pie, Pie City, Old Fashioned Fish and Chips, Debonairs Pizza, Eden Delights, Magnificent Treat, Hungry Lion, Chicken Licken, Spur and Steers. There’s also a free-standing McDonald’s Drive-Thru at the mall.

Edendale Mall even features food specialists Roots Butchery and Miguel’s Bakery.

The development of Edendale Mall is a catalyst for further growth and development in the area. Gavin explains “the community will benefit from having a mall of their own, from shopping on their doorstep, creating jobs, having a meeting place, and provide business opportunities in the area”.

These guys are also the developers behind Ducat Tower in Cape Town.