PARKDENE BOULEVARD , BOKSBURG
Construction has commenced on the redevelopment of Parkdene Boulevard , a retail centre in the burgeoning suburb of Parkdene in Boksburg , Ekurhuleni . The 32,000m 2 centre is being upgraded by Abland Property Developers and Retail Africa , which are both known for their innovative development approach , and is a collaboration with partners Nedbank CIB and the Ellerine Group .
Designed by Skyscape Architects , with its striking new design and a refreshed retail offering , Parkdene Boulevard will be a landmark centre in this part of the East Rand . The centre has long served Parkdene and the surrounding suburbs , being well located on a major thoroughfare , but had become tired and dated . At the same time , the suburb itself has undergone a period of redevelopment and expansion , with the construction of multiple high-density residential developments giving rise to increased demand for quality retail in the area .
Grant Silverman , Director at Abland Property Developers , explains : “ We are excited about the potential for Parkdene Boulevard to meet this need and provide an elevated shopping experience within an established yet growing node .”
The redevelopment involves expanding the centre from 11,000m 2 to approximately 32,000m 2 and upgrading , expanding and modernising a long-standing Checkers Hyper located on the site .
Checkers and other existing tenants , including Checkers Liquor and Spec Savers , will continue to trade throughout the construction period , with great care being taken to minimise any disruption .
The development team is also excited to introduce additional tenants such as Crazy Plastics , Dis-Chem and Edgars , as well as various food options . It will also offer two new drive-throughs , with Burger King and KFC joining the existing McDonald ’ s Drive- Thru , all conveniently positioned for both local residents and the many commuters in the area .
“ The time is ideal for this redevelopment project , which will revitalise an established retail centre on a highly accessible and well-located site ,” says Richard O ’ Sullivan , Executive Director of Retail Africa . Having grown up in Boksburg and having a passion for his hometown and community , he has witnessed the changing fortunes of the area over decades .
The redevelopment project will introduce complementary retail offerings , services and restaurants , as well as landscaped green areas , to elevate the overall shopping and customer experience .
Construction is well on track for the new Parkdene Boulevard ’ s completion in October 2024 .
MBHASHE LG MALL , MBHASHE
Construction on Mbhashe LG Mall in Mbhashe , Eastern Cape , has begun . The new rural retail centre will open in early 2025 . Mbhashe LG Mall was designed by MDS Architecture , in association with Architects Unbound , for owners Exemplar REItail Ltd , McCormick Property Development , and co-developer Seven Days Trading .
Louis Pretorius , MDS Architecture partner , says that the design of the structure utilises a geometric pattern to mark the entrance as well as to break up the 3m wide covered walkways .
“ Matching abstract geometric pattern structures appear to hold up the porte cochère at the main entrance . While the colour palette of the main structure is subdued in hues of grey , the steel geometric structures stand out in a contrasting pure white colour ,” says Pretorius .
The V-shaped geometric patterns are repeated alongside the curved food court area with outside seating . Flooring along the covered walkways takes the form of hardwearing brick paving . Inside , the length of the mall leading to anchor tenant Shoprite is awash with natural light from clerestorey windows . Pixelated patterns using
porcelain tiles demarcate walkways and lead the eye towards the supermarket entrance .
Offering 20,131m 2 of GLA , the mall will also include artwork murals by local artists . A new traffic circle creates access to the shopping centre on the N2 national route passing through the town of Idutywa .
The design of the mall was informed by the local natural landscape , vegetation and the nearby Mbhashe river . The greenfield development is designed to be built on split levels to address the sloping site . Water is obtained from an existing borehole on the site .
The building offers parking for 493 vehicles and a taxi rank with 40 bays . The anchor tenants are Boxer and Shoprite , with national tenants making up the balance of the shopping options .
22 Project Watch