Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa May/June 2015 | Page 28

The retail mall is very
open in its design, with
several street entrances,
terraces open to the
public square, and
atria bringing natural
light into the space

maximum use of the site, portions of building
have been constructed underneath the
canopy of the M1 highway, something which
required interesting engineering solutions
and considerable cooperation from the
Johannesburg Road Agency.
Design
The design opens up to the natural flow and
desire-lines of pedestrians, coming from
the south-west corner, and from the east
and south east sides of the site – from the
City, neighbouring Brickfields residential

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development and the pedestrianized Market
Theatre and Majestic precinct. A public
square and landscaped park area forms the
heart of the development, providing a much
needed facility to the public, offices and retail
environment. Various restaurants open up
to this space which has sculptures, a water
feature and green landscaping. This square
is also the venue for various public events,
supporting the 24/7 activation of Newtown.
Newtown has a very particular urban
texture and the environment is no-nonsense
and tough. There was a specific requirement

Newtown Junction