Architect and Builder August/September 2018 | Page 11

FERNDALE ON REPUBLIC, RANDBURG
Ferndale on Republic, previously known as the Brightwater
Commons and the Randburg Waterfront before that, was initially
created as a city waterfront development – a romantic notion in
Johannesburg in the 1980s. The waterfront element was removed
when it underwent a renovation and became the Brightwater
Commons, which introduced landscaping and parks to the
development as well as a flea market.
The Moolman Group has been instrumental in developing the new
scheme, starting with the refurbishment of the existing cinemas into
Kagiso Media’s new Urban Brew Studios. This project then served
as a catalyst for the upgrading of the existing buildings as well as the
addition of a new 27,000m 2 mall. MDS Architecture was approached
by the Moolman Group and asked to invigorate the development for
the Ferndale on Republic Consortium (Moolman Group, PHG Group
& Braam van Huysteen) and rebrand it as Ferndale on Republic. The
new additions increase the total GLA to about 42,000m 2 .
Sean Pearce, a partner at MDS Architecture, says that while
some parts of the existing building will be retained, others will be
demolished to allow for more efficient parking
and to link it with the new mall. Landscaping
will soften the design and help integrate the old
with the new. “We wanted to retain some of the
nostalgia of a waterfront, as well as the greenery
and landscaping. For this reason, greenery was
used as a design ethos,” he says.
“We are trying to create a convenient,
neighbourhood shopping centre providing a
safe, family destination with feature lighting
and pedestrian walkways, with creepers and
living green walls. The large parking lot will be
broken up by red brick paving and landscaped
vertical screens, serving as a strong axial link,”
he says. Large trees from Brightwater Commons
will be relocated to the main entrances to
create strong focal points and connect to
the past development.
The development will feature ‘green lungs’ around the perimeter
where people can relax and enjoy a safe shopping environment.
Ferndale on Republic will be a mixed use development with offices
as well as large retailers such as Checkers & Pick n Pay and other
national brands. Family restaurants and coffee shops will also be
included throughout the new development.
Part of the existing mall attached to the waterfront/building will
be incorporated into the new shopping centre mall and will have
the feeling of an old railway shed or building. Red brick has been
used to provide a warm contemporary aesthetic and the individual
buildings create a village feel. “Shoppers will walk through the
Project Watch
existing mall and then through into the new mall creating a special
connection between new and old. We are working with existing
structures and keeping high level windows but introducing new
shop fronts and bulkheads. The retrofitting and refurbishment will
create interesting interactions and spatial connections between the
two structures,” says Pearce.
Kagiso Media’s Urban Brew TV studios and phase 1 (refurbishment
and construction of the first parking section) are currently underway
and due to be completed in March and June 2019 respectively, with
the full development expected to be completed by September 2019.
The co-owners are making a concerted effort to promote family
retail again and for this reason, pubs will make way for Spur,
Panarottis and other family orientated offerings.
Pearce believes that in its new form, Ferndale Mall on Republic has
a romantic attraction. “It is an evolution that retains the good things
associated with the development. The design is efficient but sensitive
to the residential area adjacent to the site while taking advantage
of accessibility and visibility from Republic Road,” he concludes.
Developer: Ferndale on Republic Consortium
Development Managers: Moolman Group
Main Contractor: Probest
Architect: MDS Architecture
Quantity Surveyor: NWS Quantity Surveyors
Structural & Civil Engineer: L & S Consulting
Electrical Engineer: Rawlins Wales
Mechanical & Fire: Ingplan
Time Management & Tenant Co-ordination: Orion
Health and Safety: Cairnmead
Landscape Architect: Daniel Rebel
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