African Design Magazine March 2016 | Page 34

The Potato Sheds were an integral part of Newtown for much of the last century. The bustling market was a well-known hub for business and entrepreneurial success. So much so, that during its heyday, traders who’d achieved success were awarded a fictional ‘University of Newtown’ certificate by the community. WSNT strives to re-create that commercial achievement by offering a dynamic retail space for the country’s leading brands in an energetic, collaborative environment. Many of these businesses have similarly grown from young entrepreneurial ventures to become well-known and coveted labels, including Black Coffee, Kat van Duinen, Kisua, Wolf and Maiden, Pichulik and Unknown Union, amongst many others. Established adjacent to the Newtown Junction shopping mall, part of an extensive regeneration development from Atterbury and Attacq, WSNT will benefit from the vibrant retail atmosphere, secure parking and facilities, a soon-to-be finished hotel and regular events. “The heritage-inspired design retains and restores the historical landmark, while transforming the iconic potato sheds into a modern-day marketspace, and reinforcing Atterbury’s vision for it to be a cutting-edge blend of art, design, fashion, heritage, inspiration and leisure,” says Johan Roets, Director of Leasing at Atterbury. The design of WSNT, with its combination of enclosed and open-plan stores and a layered design concept, immediately sets it apart from conventional shopping experiences, says Van Zyl. “At a fundamental level, it’s a lifestyle destination based on