NAME: Arbour Town
LOCATION: Amanzimtoti, Durban
USE: Mixed (Retail, Commercial, Residential, Light Industrial) 250 000m2
COST: R2,1bn

Elements - The Galleria (75 000m2), Arbour Crossing (45 000m2), Offices (35 000m2) and Residential


The Galleria - 75 000m2 Retail mall. Opening April 2009

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/CopyofBau_AerialPersp.jpg

Confirmed tenants:

Checkers - 5000m2
Woolworths - 7500m2
Edcon Group - 7000m2
Mr Price Group - 8000m2
Foschini Group - 6000m2
Pepkor Group - 5000m2
Truworths Group - 3000m2
Game - 4000m2
Boogaloos
Spur Group
Exclusive Books
Standard Bank

Arbour Crossing - 45 000m2 Value Retail Centre. Opening October 2008

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/arbourcrossing.jpg

Confirmed Tenants

Pick n Pay Hyper - 12 500m2
Hi-Fi Corporation - 4500m2
Furniture City - 3800m2
Sportsmans Wherehouse - 1500m2
Pick n Pay Liquor - 700m2

Arbour Village 530 unit Residential estate and 35 000m2 Office Estate


Location
http://www.keystoneinv.co.za/projects/arbour_town/AERIAL%20PHOTO%2001.jpg

good bye golf course?? close to umbogentwini and the smells from the AECI site

ok, the 1st word that came to my mind was,......WOW! good for Toti, with all the new residential complex's coming up, they need a nice shopping district

good bye golf course?? close to umbogentwini and the smells from the AECI site

The golf course has been gone since the end of 2004.

AECI is in parts no more. relocating

R500m Arbour Village set for April launch


(New Developments) Pent up-buyer desire for the release of the long-awaited R500 million Arbour Village on the site of the old Umbogintwini Village, north of Amanzimtoti, is to be fulfilled with the first four phases of the ten-phase development set for release on April 21 and 22. The launch introduces an array of 30 different show houses.

The delayed unveiling – due to rezoning procedures - includes a high-density development embracing first time buyers with a starting price of R525 00 and a much lower density development of essentially three to five bedroom single dwellings in the price range of R875 000 to R2m.

The 260 units that make up the first four phases of the sectional titled village’s eventual 530 unit heavily treed estate on its 25 ha includes 60 completely renovated and restored original homesteads. The remaining existing homes are to be included in later launches. The village’s architectural theme is of original colonial homes with strict adherence to balconies, large windows, gables and corbels reminiscent of a by-gone era.

Explaining Arbour’s high density definition this week, sales director Jenny Pate said the term included stand-alone and semi-detached one and two bed cottages of 60 to 72 sqm, some with exclusive-use gardens and four-unit apartment blocks of two ground floor and two upstairs units of about 75 sqm and selling between R635 000 to R655 000. Each unit will have a carport and some will have garages.

Design of the studio units, she describes, as a first for the toti area, based on trendy lifestyle units, incorporating mezzanine floors.

Pate said developers, Keystone Investments, had striven through its configuration of floor plans and pricing to attract first-time homebuyers as well as retirees wishing to downsize while still maintaining a balance for the average family home buyer. Such considerations had spawned a wide range of floor designs, which now stood at 60 different plans because of the developer’s strict policy not to remove any indigenous trees. This had evolved into an eclectic environment with numerous cul-de-sacs, nooks and crannies and turning circles around giant Natal mahogany trees.

Mindful of the under-supply of secure estate market entry homes on the upper south coast and further exacerbated by recent expansions at Toyota in Prospecton, the active Southgate industrial estate, and based on current interest, Pate is confident of a speedy sell-out, which she sees further encouraged by the attractions of the proposed “The Galleria” regional shopping centre within walking distance of the village. The 75 000 sqm Galleria on the old Umbogintwini golf course also forms part of Keystone Investment’s Arbour Village development as does a 45 000 sqm value centre, an office park with sea views and a light industrial park.

Development planned for the total site, acquired by Keystone Investments for R60m in December 2004, has been plagued by a number of objections, its most strident against The Galleria, but Pate said this week these had now been fully overcome. Earth works for The Galleria would start in two months time with the opening date set for April 2009.

Preparation for the 45 000 sqm Value Centre, on the corner of Oppenheimer Road and the N2 had already started with the opening planned for October 2008. The anchor tenant, Pick ‘n Pay Hyper will occupy 12 500 sqm

Pate said more than 80 percent of the retail space in the double-storey The Galleria, had been let. Checkers have taken 5 000 sqm, Woolworths 7 500 sqm, Edcon Group 7 000 sqm, Mr Price Group 8 000 sqm, Foschini Group 6 000 sqm and Pepkor Group 5 000 sqm. When completed, The Galleria and its peripherals, which represent an infrastructure investment of R2 billion, is expected to underpin widespread rejuvenation of the Upper South Coast. Under serviced by the major retailers, Pate says the Galleria will redirect current consumer expenditure into the local economy rather than relying on other regionals such as Gateway and The Pavilion.



Submitted: 02 Apr 2007

the value mall is starting to rise. glad to see the toti area getting some decent shopping facilities at long last. the area has alot of land to the west and south to expand, so could easily double in population in 10 years

I remember them starting a mall next to the municipality many years ago. Did that ever get built?

i have no idea. i have only ever been into toti 3 times in my life.

Arbour Crossing update - 45 000m2 (the smaller of the two adjacent shopping centre's)

The letting on Arbour Crossing is progressing very well. We have confirmed a number of national tenants including Pick 'n Pay Hypermarket, Pick 'n Pay Liqour, Hi-Fi Corporation, Furniture City and Sportsman's Warehouse.

We are still in negotiations with other tenats including Meltz, Osiers, The Wellness Clinic, ABSA, Standard Bank and Shoe City.

Here's a construction update:

The earthworks on Arbour Crossing are done and construction commenced in October 2007 & earthworks on The Galleria are well under way with the opening dates set for October 2008 and October 2009 respectively

Galleria

http://www.keystoneinv.co.za/projects/arbour_town/galleria/ARBOUT%20TOWN%20SITE%20PHOTO%20001.jpg

http://www.keystoneinv.co.za/projects/arbour_town/galleria/ARBOUT%20TOWN%20SITE%20PHOTO%20003.jpg

Arbour Crossing

http://www.keystoneinv.co.za/projects/arbour_town/arbour_crossing/site_photos/ARBOUR%20CROSSING%20SITE%20PHOTO%20001.jpg

http://www.keystoneinv.co.za/projects/arbour_town/arbour_crossing/site_photos/ARBOUR%20CROSSING%20SITE%20PHOTO%20004.jpg

http://www.keystoneinv.co.za/projects/arbour_town/arbour_crossing/site_photos/ARBOUR%20CROSSING%20SITE%20PHOTO%20002.jpg

galaria such an american terminology assiated with retail.

Good to see the 2 developmnets seperated by a green belt

Is that a train station on the first and second pic?

acording to my knowledge its just the southern line that runs thru the area, i dont think there is a station there

Please tell me there is going to be a Ster Kinekor and a News Cafe / Club there??? :)

lol i have no if there will be a club there (but highly doubt it as it is a mall) but there will be nu metro cinema's. yes, toti really needs this

u sure its gonna be nu metro? i like ster kinekor more... discovery card = R12 movie :P would've been nice if there was a news cafe too tho ;)

lol i have no if there will be a club there (but highly doubt it as it is a mall) but there will be nu metro cinema's. yes, toti really needs this

^^ i so over news

Cubana iz da shit! cant wait for it to open on Florida road!

ya looks like it will be open soon.

Oh well I guess it's better than nothing ;) where do u read the news about stuff like this? Cinema etc that's going to be at the mall?

Oh well I guess it's better than nothing ;) where do u read the news about stuff like this? Cinema etc that's going to be at the mall?

from the developers website www.keystoneinv.co.za

the crossing centre should be opening before year end.

its looking massive when you drive past Toti to the south coast

Looking good. Any idea where I can get more information on property being sold in Arbour Village?

its looking massive when you drive past Toti to the south coast

nope sorry i dont. keystone investments would probably be the best people to contact

The Arbour crossing open 2 weeks back, from all accounts its very much like that new Woodmead centre with PnP hyper

woodmead center :?

Ya its right near the buccleuh interchange

oh in Joburg!

anyone been to arbour crossing yet??

nope, heard its huge tho

I have been to the 1st phase. Looks and feels like a strip mall, with very much an outdoor feel to it. However, this is only phase 1 of the mall. Phase 2 is massive. The strange thing is that there is at least 1.5 km between the 2 phases! A big nature reserve lies between, which the developer could not get approval to develop on. The end result is the feeling that these are 2 completely different malls. I am hoping that there will be footpaths through the nature reserve linking the 2 phases.

That's not a bad thing. It's different :)

sounds cool,need to go investigate

i like the fact there is massive green space! its needed, you dont want a fourways wall to wall concrete and brick look

It's not two phases, it has been two seperate developments all along, a value centre (like in Springfield, and yes it is 'outdoorsy') and a shopping centre (that is still being built)

Can't wait for the shopping mall to open, was at the value center on opening day to take advantage of the opening specials, it was definately packed. One of the main things I don't like is that nearly everything closes at 5pm- even Nino's, so can't even go shop after work

Oh- Where is the drive through Steers that was advertised to be opening at the Value Mall by the way?

Toti is another planet...still no idea what is in the completed centre. The other one should be better and should have cinemas

Toti is another planet...still no idea what is in the completed centre. The other one should be better and should have cinemas

Cinemas are in the 2nd Phase of the development

One of the main things I don't like is that nearly everything closes at 5pm- even Nino's, so can't even go shop after work


I will speak to the national franchiser for Nino's SA. Im meeting him on the weekend. Maybe I can pull something for you ;)

Cinemas are in the 2nd Phase of the development

but its a 70,000m2 1st phase dev...the second is a long time off. if it doesnt have cinemas it is very short sighted


wait are meaning the Galleria as the "second phase"? its a comepltely separate development and no "2nd phase"

but its a 70,000m2 1st phase dev...the second is a long time off. if it doesnt have cinemas it is very short sighted


wait are meaning the Galleria as the "second phase"? its a comepltely separate development and no "2nd phase"

Yes Galleria - the first phase opens sometime in April (09)... but it wont have cinemas - that's in Galleria's 2nd phase...

^^ a second phase on it will not open for years, the fact that it wont have cinemas upfront is incredibly shortsighted and poor planning

^^ a second phase on it will not open for years, the fact that it wont have cinemas upfront is incredibly shortsighted and poor planning

Agreed. The closest cinemas to the south of Durban are in Pavillion (which is in the west of the city) or central Durbs. That's pathetic. Poor residents.

How can they not have cinemas in the first phase? I mean really...

Apparently there is also going to be an ice rink in the second phase as well as cinemas, which is a brilliant idea for Toti, the Durban rink has new management called Durban Ice and I heard they are going to run the toti rink as well.
According to a telkom technician, the first phase is opening april 2009 and second phase end of 2009, just in time for the holiday makers to decend on us. He put in all the telkom cables and they are having a shop open in April.

^^ welcome to the boards mate, please introduce yourself on the intros thread!

sursprised to hear the 2nd phase opens a mere few months after the first, never seen or read anything about that yet...

The Durban Ice people are planning to close the current ice rink and build a full scale one elsewhere in durban. It was said this was to be the Pavillion, i that has changed all the good for it. But it is part of their contract with the city that they HAVE to build a new full scale rink somewhere in Durban

Thank you for your welcome, but I couldn't find your intro thread, i found the one asking guests to join and then nothing. I had a problem finding this page again and had to do a history search, so i don't find it particularly user friendly, or maybe its just me.
I have lived in Toti for 15 years and gradually it is joining the rest of the world in having some decent shops and entertainment. I had two boys aged 3+4 when we moved here and had my 3rd son 5 months later, the first two are now at Rhodes and cannot believe that Toti is going to get movies and a possible ice rink just as they have left. All those years of driving to the Pav and Gateway are soon to be a thing of the past. Well maybe not, my youngest is boarding at Crawford North Coast so Gateway is still on the cards, they have a wavehouse and skatepark (lol).
Cheers Sue

At the top of the page, just below the banner when viewing this thread you'll see:

SkyscraperCity > Continental Forums > Middle East & Africa > Africa > South Africa > Projects

Just click on "South Africa" to go back to the main South African section, or "Projects" to go back to the Projects page. The introduction thread is in the Shebeen section, which can be accessed in by clicking on the appropriate link in the main South African section :)

Hi Sue - welcome to the boards! Hope you post often.

Don't feel bad. I was a member for *months* before I even discovered the Projects section!!

As Lydon explained, on the main SA page, you'll see the Projects and Shebeen links. Intros etc take place on the shebeen thread.

PS - I am thrilled that Toti is getting this mall. And it looks as if the Municipality wants to include the mall in its park and ride scheme for the World Cup.

Spoke the Nino's main franchisers over the weekend, they say the center normally dies down after 5 & they run a risk at staying open till 8/9pm, but they will re-consider once the other phases are complete.

^^ cool

And welcome sue...crawford is a good school... :)

Okay I am also getting incredibly confused right now

What are these 'phases' people are referring to?
Is the 1st phase Arbour Crossing (The Value Centre)
the 2nd phase the Arbour Galleria (The Mall)

Or is Arbour Crossing just that
and the Galleria has a Phase 1 and Phase 2?

Are they still going to be building with people already in part of the mall or what?

According to the property developers website it originally stated
'We anticipate the opening to be October 2008 for the Arbour Crossing & April 2009 for The Galleria. '

Now they seem to have changed it to
'The earthworks on Arbour Crossing are done and construction commenced in October 2007 & earthworks on The Galleria are well under way with the opening dates set for October 2008 and October 2009 respectively.'

I don't see anything about phases and as far as I know there was going to be a cinema in the Galleria, have not read anywhere about an ice rink...

Where do some people get this info from? (Ice rink in particular) might just be a rumor circulating

If anyone hasn't been to the site check it out at
http://www.keystoneinv.co.za/projects/arbour_town/arbour_town.html

Thanks, MacDonalds till then I guess ;)

Spoke the Nino's main franchisers over the weekend, they say the center normally dies down after 5 & they run a risk at staying open till 8/9pm, but they will re-consider once the other phases are complete.

i also confused here mate, and dont ever go to Toti so cant really comment

You know I said I was going to take a drive down here but never did, this weekend seems out of the question too

This weekend is choc-a-block already...

Have the autocross event at Suncoast to go and spectate at...
Hope some of you guys are going to make a trip down to watch crazy ppl drive their cars around the carpark too fast...

Guess it would help if they updated their website.. like... once lol

^^
I would be one of those crazy people but my bearings are fried!!! haha

This weekend is choc-a-block already...

Have the autocross event at Suncoast to go and spectate at...
Hope some of you guys are going to make a trip down to watch crazy ppl drive their cars around the carpark too fast...

whats that about?

Durbs : I'm not sure of which Carpark specifically, but its at Suncoast...

If you come down, just look for the BMW Club banners... they're running it.

Hi FLEX01, I spoke to the CEO of Durban ice rink and he showed me the plans for the ice rink in Toti in the new Galleria, its between a John Dory and another restaurant. It doesn't look very large and I think it is based on a similar rink in Pretoria. He told me that they have been approached to run it.

I am friends with the Manager of Arbour Crossing and she also knows about the icerink and that there are plans for 11 cinemas, the largest being over 300 seats.

The centre is planned to open in November 2009. I hope they don't have anymore furniture shops planned, there are 6 already in Arbour Crossing. I don't understand why they need a Checkers Hyper, when you have a Pick n Pay Hyper and a family Pick n Pay 2kms away from each other, Toti just doesn't have enough people for all those food and furniture shops. Oh did i mention a Woolworths and Game bigger than the Gateway branches.!!

^^ All the food retailors would want to be present, even if just to be in their competitors face. And 6 furniture stores is hardly alot.

Nice, and yes there will be more furniture shops!!! Everyone wants a piece of the albeit small, pie :P

I see they are STILL building on what I believe to be the Steers at the Arbour Crossing. Another building is going up next to it as well now, hope it is a KFC ;)

Would have been awesome if they opened a news cafe or something similar at the arbour crossing, desperately in need of a classy watering hole!! :cheers:

Hi FLEX01, I spoke to the CEO of Durban ice rink and he showed me the plans for the ice rink in Toti in the new Galleria, its between a John Dory and another restaurant. It doesn't look very large and I think it is based on a similar rink in Pretoria. He told me that they have been approached to run it.

I am friends with the Manager of Arbour Crossing and she also knows about the icerink and that there are plans for 11 cinemas, the largest being over 300 seats.

The centre is planned to open in November 2009. I hope they don't have anymore furniture shops planned, there are 6 already in Arbour Crossing. I don't understand why they need a Checkers Hyper, when you have a Pick n Pay Hyper and a family Pick n Pay 2kms away from each other, Toti just doesn't have enough people for all those food and furniture shops. Oh did i mention a Woolworths and Game bigger than the Gateway branches.!!

is opening looking still on track for september?

Last time I looked their website said October 2009, according to sueffun's source it will be November 2009 so it will most probably be December 2009 ;)

^^ how is the site looking?

Weddings on ice planned for rink

Suthentira Govender Published:Jun 07, 2009

New owners of Durban’s famous skating spot have grand plans to develop it into a multipurpose venue

Durban’s landmark ice-rink, which is undergoing a multimillion-rand face-lift, is set to introduce a novel concept — weddings on ice.

Property development and business solutions company Olive Group rescued the rink, which opened its doors in the ’50s, from total dilapidation in December last year after four years of negotiations with the eThekwini council.

Later this year, Olive Group chief executive Sastri Ramiah said, they would also open KwaZulu-Natal’s first mall rink at the new Galleria Mall, which is being built in Amanzimtoti on the South Coast.

Ramiah also wants to restore the Durban rink to its former glory in a few years’ time.

For now, the building has been given a fresh coat of paint and new carpets and ceilings, but plans for further upgrades are in the pipeline.

Food and retail outlets, as well a convention centre, will be new additions to the rink.

“The retails stores and food outlets will be put in before the 2010 World Cup,” Ramiah said.

As part of his drive to breathe new life into the rink, Ramiah has come up with the idea of weddings on ice.

“It is a new concept, and the finer details have to be worked out. But we can create a stage in the middle of the rink and lay out a red carpet — which will have rubber mats underneath — as a walkway for the bride and groom.

“There is seating for about 1000 people around the rink. It would be an ideal venue to hold a wedding in Durban’s summers because the rink is always cool,” Ramiah said.

“I thought of the idea because there is often a shortage of wedding venues in Durban and it would be something quite different.”

Ramiah said the Durban ice rink would be expanded to an Olympic-size facility in about three years. “We were interested in the site for a long time. It is part of our property expansion portfolio.”

“Last week, we hosted a bhangra, which was broadcast live on Lotus FM. We will be introducing different themes to attract people back to the rink. There will also be live music which people can listen to while they’re skating.

“We have increased our footprint by about 30% to 40%. With the new developments happening at the rink, it will be even bigger.”

Ramiah believes the possibilities for the Galleria rink are endless.

“It will be the province’s first mall ice rink and will service the South Coast from Chatsworth to Shelley Beach. We believe it has massive potential,” he said.

for all you guys and girls that want to see how the Galleria is coming on, i will post some photo's, when i figure it out.As for 'Sueffins' intel that she got from Lyn; it is as about accurate that you will find at the moment.

for all you guys and girls that want to see how the Galleria is coming on, i will post some photo's, when i figure it out.As for 'Sueffins' intel that she got from Lyn; it is as about accurate that you will find at the moment.

Welcome Sperry, don't forget to introduce yourself in the following thread http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=199868

Welcome Sperry :)

& here's a thread to guide you on posting pictures ;)

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=787228

The Galleria
http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad87/sperry_photos/Galleria_004_email.jpg

Arbour Crossing
http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad87/sperry_photos/Galleria_003_email.jpg

^^ thanx mate...looking good, looks a decent size

Damn thats big! No news on what they going to do with the center part? still keep it as a park?

cant see the pictures???

right click on the x and click show picture

Drove past the other day and it is looking rather massive. Only a few months away from opening and it will have a great new ice rink for the city...although rather far away for most people to go

The Galleria
http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad87/sperry_photos/Galleria_004_email.jpg

Arbour Crossing
http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad87/sperry_photos/Galleria_003_email.jpg

so one is Big Box and the other traditional mall?

I went to the PnP Hyper in the completed mall today, not too shabby ;) Good investment for Toti, although it may just be too much retail within such a short distance...

Please go to Bangkok then you'll know whats too much retail within short distances ;)

Retail or dirty rent people?

Is the Galleria scheduled to have cinemas in the near future? Judging from this article, it seems to be the case (I would think that a new cinema(s) in Toti will likely be included in this development), which will be great for Toti.

--------------------

Curtain falls on Numetro movie house today
13 Aug 2009
Estelle Sinkins

DECLINING attendances made the NuMetro cinema at Cascades no longer profitable or viable for the cinema company to operate. A decision was therefore taken last month not to renew the cinema’s lease at the centre.

That’s the official line from NuMetro when asked about its decision to close the cinema, which is screening films for the final time today, although Bharathi Kawal, centre manager for Cascades, says the lease only expires at the end of the year.

Heather Vorster, publicist for NuMetro, wouldn’t say whether the opening of CineCentre at the Liberty Midlands Mall has reduced attendances at the NuMetro cinema, but did admit that it is a challenge to offer a “different or more special experience to customers” than they would get at a larger mall.

Vorster also defended the cinema group’s decision to show new releases some weeks after their debut at Durban cinemas and locally at CineCentre, something that might have discouraged more people attending.

“Since the cinema only had five screens, it wasn’t always viable to get every opening film each week. Distributors also evaluate where their prints will play and make decisions accordingly,” she said.

The Witness understands that staff at the cinema have been offered the chance to take up posts at a new cinema in Amanzimtoti, but Mark Harris, content and marketing head for Nu Metro Cinemas, wouldn’t confirm this.

“We had a very small full-time complement of staff at this cinema as most were casual staff from an outsourcing labour company,” he explained. “We are still in discussions with the full-time staff regarding this process [relocation] so it would be premature to comment at this point.”

As for the cinema seating and other equipment, Harris said some of it would be reused at the company’s other cinemas, other items would be scrapped and, if other businesses have a use for some of the equipment, NuMetro will consider selling it to them.

http://www.witness.co.za/index.php?showcontent&global%5B_id%5D=26560

Retail or dirty rent people?

Na Amiths favourite Bangkok Lady Boys

Is the Galleria scheduled to have cinemas in the near future? Judging from this article, it seems to be the case (I would think that a new cinema(s) in Toti will likely be included in this development), which will be great for Toti.

--------------------

Curtain falls on Numetro movie house today
13 Aug 2009
Estelle Sinkins

DECLINING attendances made the NuMetro cinema at Cascades no longer profitable or viable for the cinema company to operate. A decision was therefore taken last month not to renew the cinema’s lease at the centre.

That’s the official line from NuMetro when asked about its decision to close the cinema, which is screening films for the final time today, although Bharathi Kawal, centre manager for Cascades, says the lease only expires at the end of the year.

Heather Vorster, publicist for NuMetro, wouldn’t say whether the opening of CineCentre at the Liberty Midlands Mall has reduced attendances at the NuMetro cinema, but did admit that it is a challenge to offer a “different or more special experience to customers” than they would get at a larger mall.

Vorster also defended the cinema group’s decision to show new releases some weeks after their debut at Durban cinemas and locally at CineCentre, something that might have discouraged more people attending.

“Since the cinema only had five screens, it wasn’t always viable to get every opening film each week. Distributors also evaluate where their prints will play and make decisions accordingly,” she said.

The Witness understands that staff at the cinema have been offered the chance to take up posts at a new cinema in Amanzimtoti, but Mark Harris, content and marketing head for Nu Metro Cinemas, wouldn’t confirm this.

“We had a very small full-time complement of staff at this cinema as most were casual staff from an outsourcing labour company,” he explained. “We are still in discussions with the full-time staff regarding this process [relocation] so it would be premature to comment at this point.”

As for the cinema seating and other equipment, Harris said some of it would be reused at the company’s other cinemas, other items would be scrapped and, if other businesses have a use for some of the equipment, NuMetro will consider selling it to them.

http://www.witness.co.za/index.php?showcontent&global%5B_id%5D=26560

it should have cinemas, the closet to Toti are Pavillion!!!

Finally, after much speculation, there is a board facing the N2 saying that Nu-Metro Cinemas are 'Coming Soon' to the Galleria. YAY

^^ good news for that area indeed. Here's hoping its a sizable number...you have Toti, Umlazi and Chatsworth as targets

Views of Galleria from the back....

http://i568.photobucket.com/albums/ss127/juanwood/IMG_0499.jpg

http://i568.photobucket.com/albums/ss127/juanwood/IMG_0500.jpg

http://i568.photobucket.com/albums/ss127/juanwood/IMG_0501.jpg

http://i568.photobucket.com/albums/ss127/juanwood/IMG_0502.jpg

http://i568.photobucket.com/albums/ss127/juanwood/IMG_0503.jpg

Shot for all the pics mate. U been getting around? looks still well off completion

^^ :lol: Yeah, had some free time on my hands, so i decided to go photo shooting....

Thanks for the pic's Juan! this place looking good.

it doesnt look anywhere near an October opening...?

uh ya, unless they plan to open with scafolding every where I cant see it happening either.

There has been surprisingly little press coverage of the galleria. With it being such a big mall you would have thought we would know more about it. Google it and minimal comes up too

One of the cranes at the Galleria was taken down over the weekend - there's only one left now, the one on the N2 side. Also a lot of the scaffolding on the back has been removed in the last couple of weeks. This suggests to me that the outside is nearing completion - of course you never know how much shopfitting has already gone on inside. The opening date is shown on the boards on the N2 side - November 19th, so just less than 2 months now and I wouldn't be surprised to see it ready - Arbour crossing just down the road was on time last year.

November sounds more likely than October, thanks for that Rickety!

Thanks for the info! hope it is in november

I agree about the lack of publicity - I can't believe the developers don't have a website (well with anything less than 2 years old anyway)! The South Coast Sun has a feature on the front page this week (25th Sept edition) with a big aerial photo which is already well out of date. They say that all the anchor tenant stores e.g. Mr Price, Checkers Hyper, have been handed over to the client, and that 7 of the 11 Nu Metro cinemas have been handed over.

If you drive along Moss Kolnick Road inland, you can see a big shutter door facing the N2 so there's some security at that end.

Also I noticed this week that they've started clearing the ground for a Northbound off-ramp at the Dickens Road N2 junction. The Sun says this is because the Moss Kolnick interchange won't be upgraded in time for the Galleria opening:)

I CHALLENGE the builders to create some publicity earlier than the week it opens!

They wont be able to build an off ramp before the november opening, thats mad. Me thinks there will be traffic chaos around this site. And it seems the durban papers have not even caught onto this one yet

There is already traffic chaos around the area. Traffic lights that are not synchronised with each other. New traffic lights that don't work and everyone just ignores them, stop streets that everyone drives staight through.

In peak time, they have to have a traffic officer directing traffic its so bad.

There have been a couple of fatal accidents already, and the amount of lorries that are now in Toti have increased exponentially, and the Galleria hasn't opened yet!!

Are these new traffic lights that are not working yet for entrances to the mall?

sounds pretty hectic there. Thats my gripe with our cities planning. esp in high traffic area's, "road upgrades" for them is just adding a new layer of tar and some new robots, I mean honestly! We need more LANES! Everytime I use Nandi drive I feel like kicking that moron that designed that interchange heading towards Briadene.

The robots are at the intersection of Moss Kolnick and the new Arbour Road they have been up for over a month and still don't work, some people treat it as a fourway stop, others just fly through, so it is very dangerous. I stopped and some idiot overtook me on the left emergency lane and drove through without stopping just missing the person from the other side whom I had let cross.

There have already been a couple of fatal accidents on this stretch of road , HGV lorries use this road to Southgate industrial complex and now the road is full of potholes. It is a very fast stretch of road and the majority of the traffic including the lorries speed . This road was not built for HVG vehicles.

From what I gather all the entrances into the Galleria mall parking areas are going to be stop streets, like the Value Centre, again people don't stop at them, they just drive through, its a nightmare.

^^ that sounds like a disaster in waiting

The last static crane has gone now, the traffic lights on Moss Kolnick are working (most of the time - it is South Africa after all!) The two arched roofs are progressing, they're putting the glass in now. The inland side is looking more complete but the N2 side still has a lot of scaffolding. The Woolworth's in Toti Towers mall on Kingsway has a sign saying they're opening a new store in Galleria (in October, but later than the official Galleria opening, I think).

There's an ad for the Galleria on the front page of this week's South Coast Sun, giving an opening date of 26th November. Also a link to www.shopgalleria.co.za (don't get too excited, it's only one webpage).

thats for that Rickety, guess the website and the mall might open on the same day ;)

Where would i find someone to get part time job there

This was on posted on bizcommunity this morning at
http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/97/41220.html

never been to a 3D show.....any good?

No, me neither. Watch this space...

do any one know what stores will be opening plz post a list of all the stores

Here it is folks:

@ Home, Absa, Ackermans, AMS Matrix, Autopage, Bargain Books, Bata, Birthdays, Boardmans, Boesmanland, Boesmanland, Bread-A-Head*, Café Dulce,Cape Union Mart, Capitec bank, Cell C, Cellu City, Checkers, Checkers Liquor, Chicken Licken, Clicks, Clothes Line, CNA, Contempo, Copper Chimney*, Cut Hairdressers*, Debonairs, Delhi Delicious, Diamond Circle, Dischem, Donna Claire, Due South, Dunn’s, Edgars, Exact, Exotic Chinese*, Eye Gallery, Fishaways, Flight Centre, FNB, Foschini, Fossil, Fragrance Boutique, Freddo, Galaxy, Game, Hang Ten, Home Etc, Hot Dog Café, Hub, Ice Skating*, Identity, Incredible Connection, Intimo, IOS Wear, Ithala Bank, Java Café, Jay Jay’s, Jet, John Craig, John Dory’s*, Joybells, Juicy Lucy*, Just Undies, Kebab King, KFC, Kingsmead shoes, Legit, Lekker Biltong, London Pie, London Pie, Markhams, Maxi’s, Miladys, Milky Lane, Mr Price Home, Mr Price Sport, Mr Price Weekend, MTN, Mugg and Bean, Multi Serve, Musica, Nando’s, Nashua Mobile, Nedbank, Nike, Nokia Care, Nu Metro, NWJ, Ocean Basket*, Old Khaki, One Time Cellular, Ooh Lala, Panarotti’s, Pep, Perfect 10, Photo First*, RJ’s*, Roots Hair Salon, Sabah Connection, Sausage Saloon, Sector 7, Sequinz, Sheet Street, Signatures, Simply Brands, Spec Savers, Spicy Queen, Sport Scene, Spur, Standard Bank, Steers, Sterns, Street Gear, Subway*, Sweets, Telkom, Ten Pin Bowling*, The Body Shop, Tobacco Land, Torga Optical, Total Sport, Travelex, Trend Design*, Truworths, Verimark, Vetsmart*, Vodacom 4 U, Vodacom, Wimpy, Woolworths.

All but * (no date given) are scheduled to open 26th November 2009; the only exceptions are Nedbank (7th December) and Nu Metro (10th December).

There is a ground floor, 1st floor and a cinema level which is just the Nu Metro and a lot of cafes/restaurants, plus the Ice Skating and the ten pin bowling. Only Woolworths appears to be on more than one level.

You should see the frantic work going on on the outside! And you can see the inside is lit up at night too.

Thanks for the info, Rickety. Methinks I need to make the trip there and check this mall out. It's much needed for the entire South.

Quite a few shops then!!! but where is EXCLUSIVE BOOKS? my favourite shop of all:ohno:

Sounds like due to the financial meltdown exclusive books became the not so exclusive bargain books.

Hi There,

We are doing the Ice Rink for the Galleria Shopping Mall!

You work for Sastri or did you guys win the tender to make it?

oh and welcome to the forums :)

when will the ice ring open

You work for Sastri or did you guys win the tender to make it?

oh and welcome to the forums :)

No, we do not work for Sastri.
We won the Tender to supply and install the Ice rink.

Thanks...

The Ice rink should open when the mall opens.
We are finishing off the Installation this weekend.:banana:

What is happening with the upgrade of the ice rink in Durban?

Thanks for the update, Super-Glide. Welcome to the forum!

Hi

How about posting some photo's of inside the mall - ground,1st floor, cinema level. Would be great to see the progress on the inside.

No, we do not work for Sastri.
We won the Tender to supply and install the Ice rink.

Thanks...

The Ice rink should open when the mall opens.
We are finishing off the Installation this weekend.:banana:

Ok cool, worked with Sastri on the upgrade to the Durban one

What is happening with the upgrade of the ice rink in Durban?

Revamp is complete, you can go have some fun there now :)

We're still busy with the convetion center side though.

would someone plz post pic of the new mall insides

I noticed the absence of Exclusive Books too. But I think it was Fascination Books that went bust and Bargain Books took over their shops.

HI Superglide and welcome.
Is it a proper ice-rink made with ice or is it a synthetic plastic rink that some shopping centre's use during holiday periods.
My son was really keen to work part-time at evenings/weekends at the rink, he used to have lessons at the Durban rink and is really happy about the one in Toti as we live 2km away.........who can he phone about it?
Oh what about Ice hockey?

OK, I just did a google search on Super-Glide and as I thought it is a synthetic ice rink.
I was wondering about the refrigeration of a proper Ice rink if it was located on the first floor of the shopping centre!!
Looks like it is a good product and is used extensively worldwide, especially in the US and Canada for figure skating, ice hockey and commercial uses as in the case of the Galleria.
Seems you can also buy a home product in the US for home training.......that would be quite cool.....but I guess you can't get it in SA as yet.

I don't think it will give the same atmosphere as a "cold rink" but never mind we do at least have a new rink, and in Toti.

first time Ive heard of this "synthetic ice"

OK, I just did a google search on Super-Glide and as I thought it is a synthetic ice rink.
I was wondering about the refrigeration of a proper Ice rink if it was located on the first floor of the shopping centre!!
Looks like it is a good product and is used extensively worldwide, especially in the US and Canada for figure skating, ice hockey and commercial uses as in the case of the Galleria.
Seems you can also buy a home product in the US for home training.......that would be quite cool.....but I guess you can't get it in SA as yet.

I don't think it will give the same atmosphere as a "cold rink" but never mind we do at least have a new rink, and in Toti.

Yes it is a synthetic ice rink.
It works the same as ice, just no ice, no freezing cold and wet clothes!
Also we saving the environment! Its a Go Green Product!

We are the suppliers for Super-Glide Products in Africa and we do provide all the products. So yes, The Home product is available in SA for the past couple of years already.

How does it feel when one falls on it - at least ice is slightly forgiving!

Feels the same as Ice, and Ice is NOT forgiving, I tell you that..

Who wants a sneak peek of what the rink looks like?

Sure. Why not.

do you even have to ask? lol

Nearly there and there's still a good deal of work to do on the outside, scaffolding, signage, painting etc. It looks to me as if the outside is going to be unfinished when it opens tomorrow. They've put a CNA and a Jet sign up though.

The website is still just the one welcome page! Mind you, if you look at the Pick'n'Pay website, they still haven't got their Arbour Crossing Hyper listed, and it's now one year since it opened! We sent them an email to tell them this week (which they actually acknowledged).

See you there tomorrow. Might take the camera.

dont forget to wear your hard hat and secure shoes.

also ensure you have medical insurance. :bash::bash::bash::cheers:

dont forget to wear your hard hat and secure shoes.

also ensure you have medical insurance. :bash::bash::bash::cheers:

LOL:nuts:

sneak peek for 1 hour only!

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs046.snc3/13345_1154139458854_1388706553_30371155_6494996_n.jpg

Nearly there and there's still a good deal of work to do on the outside, scaffolding, signage, painting etc. It looks to me as if the outside is going to be unfinished when it opens tomorrow. They've put a CNA and a Jet sign up though.

The website is still just the one welcome page! Mind you, if you look at the Pick'n'Pay website, they still haven't got their Arbour Crossing Hyper listed, and it's now one year since it opened! We sent them an email to tell them this week (which they actually acknowledged).

See you there tomorrow. Might take the camera.


How about taking photo's of the stores that are opened tomorrow - i dont think many will be tomorrow - so it would not be too many photo's
:banana::cheers:

sneak peek for 1 hour only!

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs046.snc3/13345_1154139458854_1388706553_30371155_6494996_n.jpg



nice sweet photo :)

That rink is not as big as Crawford La Lucia's swimming Pool, how many people to you think can skate safely on that.

Sorry to moan, but really I am so dissapointed not only is the rink small, there is no Exclusive Books, Fego, Queenspark, Froggie Shoes, Musica, Quicksilver, Billabong, Boogaloos, Gorima and probably some other good shops I can't remember, so it seems I am still going to have to drive to the Pav or Gateway to go to the shops I like.

We have got another PEP ( number 5 in Toti i think) and Clothes Line 3? and the usual cheap stores, but I should have guessed.

Could someone please tell me why another bowling alley, when there is a perfectly good one not 2km away, they could have added something Toti doesn't have that the kids really need like a Skatepark........I am actually really cross now that I have written this because I was so excited about the place having lived here for 16 years with nothing.....

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this only phase 1 of the mall and that they will be constructing other phases? If so, then there is still the possibility of these other stores opening up when they complete phase 2 :dunno:

No, this is it...........I just found out why the shops I mentioned are not at the Galleria. THE RENT IS TOO HIGH.....can you believe it, they are charging Gateway prices and with the current retail climate it is just too expensive. This really sucks.:rant:

Believe me - if the mall does well they will find a way to add extra phases on later - even if they go up. I believe that the Woolworths is on two levels - while most of the rest of the mall is on one - so maybe they will add another level. I can understand you losing sleep over the exclusive books - but over fego - lol surely you jest - their coffee blows BIG time - and why does KZN not have Seattle rather? To me the fact that there is no fego is actually a huge plus - treat yourself to a coffee rather at the Woolworths Cafe.

Good point about going up......I just mentioned Fego was one of the shops that wasn't there because its usually next to Exclusive books, so I'm not bothered about them.
I guess I was really looking forward to some of the more exclusive (excuse the pun) shops, that are at other centres that I enjoy going to.:) anyway i will give it a chance.
Oh by the way the roads were totally gridlocked around the centre at 7.00am it was horrific. I think this was mentioned quite a few posts back, and everyone was quite correct. The new off ramp at Athlone Park is not finished either.:bash:

Heard this place is causing a traffic chaos this morning. all over the traffic reports on ECR. with regards to the Ice Rink size, look at it in reality. Its a decent for the place. You dont need an olympic size one. Fine holidays it will be busy but on a normal week night I doutb much people would be there.

The Skating rink is 38m x 27m. Its big enough for the Galleria.

First impressions:

Got there at 7.30, Moss Kolnick eastbound was busy but SAPS had a man on point duty (so it didn't matter that the robots were working - he ignored them as and when the traffic needed it!) I gather the N2 was chaos. Arbour Road was busy in both directions, we got to the Galleria-bound slip lane quickly but took another 20 minutes to get in as there was only one entrance lane open, at the north end, and both directions, two lanes each way, were all funnelling in to one lane. And of course some people, seeing a long queue, just drove straight to the front and shoved in - no SAPS there to stop them. The barriers were switched off (I don't think they were even installed - I saw at least one barrier in place but still in its packaging). So free parking! When we got there only one level was in use, entrance at the north end, but when we left at 10.30 the underpass at the south (Moss Kolnick) end seemed to be in use.

The outside is very not finished. Lots of building work still to do. The areas outside the entrances were half built. The top car park deck was in use later but there are no painted lines that I could see (and there's a lot of dust to get in your eyes). The view over Toti was great but we didn't look at the sea view side.

Only about half to a third of the shops were open. Clicks was still shut but most/all of the other big shops were open. Not many food stores were open. The top (cinema) level was inaccessible (as far as we could see). Checkers Hyper, Incredible Connection and Game were heaving with shoppers so we avoided those. The banks might be open but I didn't see any ATMs working.

Several of the toilet areas were not open yet.

It was very quick to get the car out again.

Generally, I would say it's much the same size as Pavilion, but much less confusing to me, and we walked one end to the other in 2 minutes. The info desk was open and they're giving out little maps. The website (shopgalleria.co.za) has the maps on now, and is much bigger than it was.

In summary: it's mostly ready. If you like queueing, go now. The staff seemed pretty happy (I wonder if that will last). If you can wait, try next week. Or better still, when the cinema opens. But long overdue and despite the rough edges well worth the wait.

I took a few photos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=RicketyHat&target=ALBUM&id=5408366188621705505&authkey=Gv1sRgCN_u0LHT-c7eOQ&feat=email

Thanks for pics, Rickety. Nice ones there.

Thank you for the pictures, i think I will take your advise and go when it is finished.

I am an iceskater thats why I was a bit shocked at the size. If you go to the Durban icerink and see how fast some of the icehockey and experienced skaters go, it is quite dangerous with all the slow skaters and thats a half size olympic rink. The corners will come around quite quickly so lots of crossover practice....will also have to change direction a few times or will get dizzy going anti clockwise all the time. But at least we have a rink which is nice and as you say it won't be busy all the time and is probably ok for the Galleria, maybe if its really popular it could be made bigger?:)

New KZN mall opens in time for the holidays
November 26 2009 at 10:43PM
By Suren Naidoo

Amanzimtoti's R1,3-billion Galleria - the biggest shopping centre development in greater Durban since Gateway almost a decade ago - opened its doors on Thursday to thousands of shoppers, creating a traffic snarl-up in the area.

The centre is part of the new R2-billion Arbour Town precinct - adjacent to the N2 South Coast highway off Moss Kolnik Road in Amanzimtoti - and was developed by Keystone Investments, of Johannesburg.

The 82 000 square-metre mall has an ice rink and will also have 198 retail outlets, 11 Nu Metro cinema screens, a bowling alley and a gaming arcade.

Several major national retailers and more than 20 restaurants and fast-food outlets have rented space at the centre.

"The Galleria is a major milestone for Keystone and represents our biggest property project in the country," said Keystone chief executive officer Louis Peens.

He said it was a major vote of confidence in the upper South Coast as the biggest property investment yet in the area.

"I don't know of many regional shopping centres of this size going up in South Africa at the moment," said Peens. "There certainly won't be a new centre of this size in KZN for several years."

He said the centre, which had 5 700 parking bays, had been intended to open with 92 000 square metres of retail space, but construction delays had made this impossible.

"While construction on the centre took more than 18 months, we are not entirely happy that the centre is not completely ready.

"However, we had to open the centre as we could not delay the opening to the middle of the festive rush in December," he said.

"There is still some work and finishing touches on the go at the centre. Most of the major stores have opened, but many others will open over the next few weeks, including the cinemas on December 11."

Peens said Galleria was the second part of the new Arbour Town precinct.

The company had also invested more than R75-million in infrastructure for the project and would contribute to the construction of a new access road from the N2.

"We have virtually all the national big brand names as well as exclusive boutiques, plus entertainment, fashion, dining and more.

"Galleria offers a full-service shopping experience," said Peens.

The centre currently provides jobs to 1 200 people from surrounding areas.

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=594&art_id=nw20091126221350358C316053

Thanks a mill for the pics Rick, shocking to see that the mall is open in such a state. I know they wanted it open before Christmas but jeez, it didnt even look like they tried to push work. Who were the contractors on the job? please dont tell me GVK

Friday 9.10 am - no queues at all that I can see (we can see two of the three Arbour Road entrances from our house).

So maybe it was just a first day thing - but they have got more car park entrances working now than first thing yesterday.

Weekend will probably be worse again though.

11.45 - just drove past down Arbour Road, queueing there but moving well. Queue on south-bound N2 off-ramp is back down to N2 inside lane (just).

Hi Rickety hat
Thanks for all the info, I guess you live just down the road from me? if you can see 3 entrances you must be on the hill in Dan Pienaar!!!I'm in Louis Botha.

Went to Durban ice rink today and was told the rink at Galleria is half the size of the Durban one, my son tried to skate in that space and got really dizzy (he skates fast)

I think it is fantastic to have a rink here, but can it be made bigger if it is really popular, which i think it will be.

There don't appear to be any queues at the car parks today - but I'm told it's because the N2 and Kingsway are so gridlocked that you can't get to Arbour Road quickly enough to cause a queue!

Yes, sueffun, we're close to you, we're top of Lewis - ish.

I'm thrilled for the new mall, but I was a bit shocked to hear that most of the tenants with existing shops in the Toti CBD had moved out completely. Truworths, Mr Price, The Hub. Are there any plans for the CBD or will it deteriorate (further)?

went here as well today, the traffic from the N2 was madness and the drivers were freeken crazy and to add to the Chaos, they had some bike run heading towards the city and some moron driver knocked 1 of the bikers which caused a massive pile up on the inbound carridge. Overall the shopping center from my point of view should not be opened, still loads to do, the parking is incomplete the entrances are the same. Ceilings not finished, loads of work goin on inside the place, but certain areas of the place are quite stunning, I love what they did with the ceiling by Incedible side.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g160/amgosai/Sky%20Scrapercity/DSC00929.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g160/amgosai/Sky%20Scrapercity/DSC00930.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g160/amgosai/Sky%20Scrapercity/DSC00932.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g160/amgosai/Sky%20Scrapercity/DSC00933.jpg

Looks very nice from the outside. Thanks for the pics, DB.

Went last night at 18.45, not busy at all, loads of free parking( thats coz the barriers don't work yet)

I agree the ceilings are stunning and I love the floor tiles, although they are a bit slippery, poor cleaners are continually sweeping with all the cement dust. There is angle grinding in the carpark and it is really unpleasant breathing in the dust and it makes such a mess.

The nicest shops were Woolworths and @home. Incredible connection is quite small, as is bargain books.
Oh, I eat humble pie..........the skating rink is big enough, my son skated for 3 hours, he said its quite different to ice and very hard to skate backwards, but he had loads of fun.

I think it will be very nice once it is finished, there are a lot of shops that I have never heard of, and several popular shops that are not there. PLEASE have any of you got contacts with Exclusive Books to get them in.

Bargin Books looked absoloutley tiny so not sure if that can qualify as a book store, more like a stationary shop, lol. Edgars isnt bad they trying to do that Stuttafords look with each brand getting its own little section but the variety is lacking & 1 floor doesnt help them. Total sports is internaly linked with 2 other shops. Cape Union Mart isnt bad & the sooner they complete the 3rd level, the better.

Do you know what shops are coming in the 3rd level?

The third level is where the Cinemas and Skating rink are, mostly fast food places and things like biltong shops. don't know what else they will put up there.
Went again tonight, there are loads of tiles that have broken, guess thats because they were in a hurry to finish and didn't level off the cement floors properly, same at the skating rink, one area is lifting (it fits together like a jigsaw puzzle)

Went to Mugg and Bean, good food and service but the noise from the kiddies climbing area and the contractors chipping and hammering away at the tiles hardly make for a relaxing meal out. Shame I think a lot of the tennants are already fed up with the dust, noise and general mayhem. I really think they should have delayed the opening.

Oh remember the comment about wearing hard hats and making sure your medical insurance was up to date, well I twisted my back on the uneven flooring just before going down the escalators that were not working on the third floor.

Thanks for that - lets hope they put the Elusive Books on that level with a Seattle Coffee Co alongside! Well - here's hoping.

i have heard that many shops have been flooded this past week again and the sewer pipes burst in their shops.

also the cinema level the sprinklers went on and lots of damage last night including those lovely ferrari's parked on display were damaged.

cna,vodashop, 4u, etc had the sewer burst and sealing leaks that flooded the shops.
nando's had a washout evening cos of sprinkler malfunctions ..

game, edgars, woolworths also...leaking sealing

i wonder whats going on with that mall why did they rush to open it. it is a nice mall but so many faults already. not good for the tenants and the customers.

i wonder if all the toilets are working including the escalators / elevators working.

OMG.....thats a bit of a shock for everyone.
I am having a wonderful holiday in Germany, and guess what, they have series shopping centres called Galeria!!! nothing like the Toti Galleria, very upmarket, more like Harrods, and they have malls all over Germany, even in Nuremburg train station.

Wow I wish I could live here, the fresh produce alone is enough to make you want to emmigrate. Went to the open air Christmas Markets in Berlin and Nuremberg, wonderful lights, amazing confectionary, cakes etc. very Christmassy. Everyone was drinking Gluhwein and eating Lebkuchen :cheers:

article in todays paper said they rushed to open to make money from the festive period even though the contractor is way behind schedule. so far 82,000m2 of the 92,000m2 retail space has opened. The remaining 10,000m2 will open early next.

That all said, if serious damage is being done to stores from their greed in wanting to open for xmas, then we may see some big claims in the months ahead

^^I agree, as I said apon visiting, it is in no state to be open to the public.

OMG.....thats a bit of a shock for everyone.
I am having a wonderful holiday in Germany, and guess what, they have series shopping centres called Galeria!!! nothing like the Toti Galleria, very upmarket, more like Harrods, and they have malls all over Germany, even in Nuremburg train station.

Wow I wish I could live here, the fresh produce alone is enough to make you want to emmigrate. Went to the open air Christmas Markets in Berlin and Nuremberg, wonderful lights, amazing confectionary, cakes etc. very Christmassy. Everyone was drinking Gluhwein and eating Lebkuchen :cheers:

Nuremburg is such a nice city - their Lebkuchen is truly the best. They have some great department stores downtown and Karstadt has a great produce hall in the basement. Enjoy it!

Galleria 'dominates' retail in the south of Durban

31 Oct 2011 - eProp - arbourtown

Intro
As the Galleria heads towards it second anniversary the asset managers and majority shareholders, Keystone Investments, celebrate surpassing the R 1,2 billion annual turnover mark

Recorded for the period October 2010 to September 2011 from 70,000 m2 of reporting tenants, this represents an average turnover of R100 million a month and confirms the Galleria as the dominant shopping superregional shopping centre destination in the south of Durban.

Having opened in November 2009 the centreboasts in excess of 83 000sqm lettable area, 5, 700 secure parking bays, and a contemporary, easy-to navigate layout . Featuring an exciting entertainment mix and comprehensive retail component comprising some 150 stores, the centre is anchored by the likes of Checkers, Woolworths, Game, Edgars, Dion Wired, Truworths, Foschini, Mr Price and Nu Metro. The centre’s primary and secondary catchment areas total in excess of 300,000 households and amongst other areas include Umlazi, Chatsworth, the Bluff, Amanzimtoti and the South Coast.

Key performance statistics
Galleria has shown double digit growth year on year in all performance areas. The centre’s turnover has increased overall with 25%, the centre’s foot traffic has increased with 10% and the spend per head/shopper increased with 15%. A staggering 18 million shoppers have visited Galleria to date.

The retailers at Galleria has had positive successes to date. Yaniv Dogan, Branch Manager for Galleria Dis-Chem Pharmacies says ‘the Centre has definitely grown in the past two years in terms of turnover and foot traffic. A positive thing to note is that the growth seems to be across all sectors (African, Indian, and Caucasian). Our catchment area seems to have grown as well. Customers are coming from the South Coast, whereas they used to shop at Pavilion, Chatsworth, Bluff, Umlazi and many other areas with other large centers’.

The Store Owners of Galleria Diamond Circle, Jannie and Lorraine Strydom agrees with Dis-Chem and stated that ‘the mall is well maintained and organized and our trade has increased since opening in December 2009. More clients appear to be shopping at Galleria and we made a good decision in taking a shop in this increasingly popular venue, we are looking forward to even greater success in the future’.

‘We are 124% to target year to date. Thanks for all the activities that the centre provides to attract customers to our centre. We couldn't reach as many customers like you have done within such a short space of time. We have high spirits about the centre’, says Galleria LEGIT Store Manager, Buyie Shange.

Miss Bugwandeen, the Store Owner of Galleria Juicy Lucy says ‘building a strong investment portfolio requires boldness and timing. While Galleria is the “newest kid on the block”, it has shown the potential to compete with the other premier shopping centres in KZN. The historical data of the centre to date clearly indicate that this investment vehicle has passed the awkward teething phase and is well into the growth phase’.

‘I currently own five Debonairs franchises and Galleria performs the best when compared to these other stores. The growth has been incredible since opening. The centre is situated in a beautiful location, with local support from Umlazi, Chatsworth and Amanzimtoti. We are very optimistic about Galleria and can only look forward to greater things to come’, says Kenny Chetty, Store Owner of Galleria Debonairs.

New N2 Interchange
After a two-year construction period the joint venture between SANRAL and Galleria for the construction of a modern new bridge and free flow onramps and off ramps were opened in October. This much-improved connection to the N2 will make shopping at the Galleria during the coming festive season even more attractive to the thousands of holidaymakers.

Entertainment like no other
The entertainment offering at Galleria excites all ages when it comes to leisure and fun. This broad offering includes Nu Metro cinemas, the Galleria Ice Rink, Superbowling Family Centre including a glow in the dark Putt Putt course, Epic Carting and soon to open Galaxy Bingo. The entertainment is supported by 13 restaurants, 10 fast foods and 2 ice cream outlets throughout the centre.

Galleria proudly boasts the largest ice rink in Durban. The state of the art ice cool fun has entertained close to 40,000 novice and professional ice skaters since opening.

Clinton Mitchell is the Galleria Ice Rink Manager and he says ‘the Ice Rink has attracted shoppers from catchment areas beyond our targeted radius, expanding as far as Ballito up North and Shelly Beach further down South of Durban. Our turnover growth has been phenomenal as we have noted double digit growth in traffic and turnover year on year’.

Nu Metro forms part of the diverse entertainment offering and has 11 cinemas, showcasing the latest in movie blockbusters. Daniel Khumalo, Cinema Manager at Galleria confirms the centre is doing well overall. Daniel says ‘we are positive about the centre’s growth since opening as there is an increase in foot traffic and turnover overall. The free two hour parking definitely assist with the trade to the centre. We are excited about the opening of Galaxy Bingo. This is yet another addition to the already strong entertainment offering’.

http://www.eprop.co.za/news/article.aspx?idArticle=14322

popped in on my way back from Margate. it really is buzzing.