Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa November/December 2013 | Page 35

A Bold Strategy
Fountainhead (whose management arm is
now incorporated into Redefine) took the
bold decision to reconstruct the centre from
the basement up, focusing on a qualitative
improvement rather than increasing retail bulk.
A modest increase of 8,000m2 was realised
so as to max out available bulk of 56.000m2,
and a construction budget of approximately
R700 million.
The client’s desire was to provide an upgraded
experience that speaks to the demands and
aspirations of its existing customer base, while
at the same time offering an entirely new kind
of retail and lifestyle facility with the power to
entice new shoppers. The quality of tenant, and
rentals achieved would rise accordingly.

Blue Route Mall

This was achieved over a multi-year construction project in which careful management
of phasing around existing operations was one
of the keys to success.

The exterior of the
building departs from
the traditional, with its
dramatic roofscape and
expanses of glazing

Extroverted
The future life of the centre was also an
important consideration, informing both the
design direction of the whole centre and
the decision to add an extended portion of
undercover parking during the late stages of the
mall’s construction.
The Louis Karol team was responsible for
both the architecture and the interiors, and
their design inspiration was a modern and
sophisticated centre which takes advantage of
the clean slate afforded by the new construction.

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