are linked by an internal mall . On the first floor , a further anchor tenant , a Virgin Active gym , links the two structures in the form of a glass box with large projecting metal roof .
Behind the two storey blocks is the covered mall to the east and open mall to the north , which has a retail strip on the north side with softer feel and lower façades , giving a more intimate shopping experience . The open mall terminates in a covered square that will be completed in the final phase of the development .
Uniquely , in security-conscious Johannesburg , there are no entrance doors to the mall . This simple gesture allows ease of movement from the parking into the mall and creates a seamless approach and entry . The different spatial qualities of the various elements of the mall - the open and covered malls , squares and active entrances - provide an interesting and fresh shopping experience .
Tenant Mix As a neighbourhood mall , Dainfern Square provides a varied tenant mix and range of facilities that activate the mall around the clock . The large anchor food tenants have been discretely positioned so as not to dominate and the centre includes small coffee shops , salons , banks , a dry cleaner , a flower seller and a travel agent . The varied restaurant , café and fast food offering enlivens the square and parking square . The first floor comprises offices and medical suites , as well as a large gym with swimming pool and outdoor training area . Parking is provided for 279 cars at ground level with a further 864 basement parking spaces .
Traffic Flow Traffic flow into the site is very clear and either through the main front-of-house or back-of-house entry points . Vehicular traffic is predominant and there is good access to the ground level surface parking . Basement parking is also accessed via the square and by the secondary / goods entry point . Pedestrian traffic flows follow the vehicular routes and the site is well serviced by minibus taxi routes on William Nicol .
Materials A carefully considered palette of materials has been used . The white two storey plastered blocks which form the square are modern and light with glass balustrades and floating steel roofs . Between the blocks , the grand steel and glass canopies clearly denote the entrances . In contrast , the anchor tenants are housed in red brick buildings .
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