Princess Mkabayi Mall, Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal
TRANSFORMATION AWARD | RURAL & SMALL TOWN DEVELOPMENT AWARD
Princess Mkabayi Mall is a 30,000m 2 regional shopping centre located in Vryheid in northern KwaZulu- Natal. Inspired by the rich legacy of Prince Mkabayi KaJama and the culture of the local community, the mall is the biggest consolidated retail offering in an almost 100km radius and serves as a place of gathering where the local community can come together.
Princess Mkabayi Mall boasts free parking and is public transport friendly, with a taxi rank located at the shopping centre. It includes a large entertainment space and play area for children, a central meeting area, and eateries for all tastes.
Vryheid is quite isolated and not easy to reach. With Newcastle around 1,5 hours away, it fits into the developers The Moolman Group’ s strategy for rural retail by ensuring that locals do not need to travel long distances for world class shopping and entertainment. The site for Princess Mkabayi Mall is on the outskirts of town. It is located next to a school and adjacent to an airfield – important factors which had to be considered in the design. The site is easily accessed from the R34 or R60 and close to the town and vehicular access at Princess Mkabayi Mall has created synergy between retailers in town and those in the mall, which has over 800 parking bays.
Home to over 70 stores, the tenant mix appeals to both higher and lower LSMs and the food court in the centre offers large, covered areas where people can hang out in the shade- an important addition in a location where the temperature varies from extreme heat of 35 º, right down to zero and snow during winter.
Princess Mkabayi Mall has three prominent entrances. High glazed entrances with views to the interior create multi-coloured drama, while triangular-shaped columns feature strongly and create covered walkways. The triangular pattern is repeated throughout the development, evoking woven natural materials. Evoking an interpretation of local architecture, triangular forms appear to hold up a wide canopy cover with a Hollywood sign, against a rich, velvety brown backdrop, which creates a powerful sense of arrival.
A fountain at the main entrance pays homage to the nine kings history of the Zulu nation, featuring cutouts with each king’ s name that cast shadows on the ground.
Finishes in tactile materials such as timber play a huge role in creating interest, as do shapes and forms,
102 SAPOA Awards