The comprehensive revamp includes a new identity and enhanced tenant mix in order to create a fresh and contemporary new look and provide added appeal and convenience for shoppers and tenants.
Now comprising a gross lettable area (GLA) of close to 14,900m2, the mall provides shoppers with a better, larger and more luxurious shopping experience with additional parking.
Chris van Reenen, CEO of One Property Holdings says the new design and look of the mall has unlocked its potential, providing light, uncluttered open spaces, ease of accessibility and flow for visitors and shoppers, higher visibility, improved signage and lighting, new ceilings and additional parking. The exterior of the centre has been completely renovated and refurbished, as well as all the main entrances. A new lift has been installed at entrance three and four to afford customers better mobility from the free undercover parking, while new stores have been added. A new lobby was designed at entrance three as well as a new staircase leading to the retail area.
"Providing the surrounding community with value for money, convenience and choice, the refreshed mall now portrays contemporary elegance with state-of-the-art security and modern amenities in line with the latest innovations and trends. A prominent landmark in the area, the upgrade of the mall and its exterior parking and entrance areas also contributes positively to the general aesthetics of the surrounds. On acquisition of the centre in 2011, our strategy was to improve the parking, visibility of the centre and internal flows. As a result, we have gone to great lengths to move the vertical circulation in the centre and to create a new parking area in front of entrance 2. The improved centre now provides the Benoni community with convenience and value."
According to Brian Azizollahoff of Capstone Properties, "Well established in Benoni, this popular neighbourhood mall is only about 500m from the Snake Road off-ramp from the N12 highway, with easy parking access on the left. Drawing shoppers mainly from the surrounding areas of Northmead, Farrarmere, Rynfield, Lakefield, Crystal Park, Daveyton and Springs, we believe the mall's improved appearance and amenities, coupled with its appealing mix of tenants has the potential to also attract shoppers from Ebotse Golf and Country Estate, Boksburg and Kempton Park."
Parking facilities - all of which are free - have been increased to provide 394 bays (of which 256 are undercover), with improvements to the parking entrances and parking areas including new kerbs and signage, tarred and paved areas and relocation of the Pick n Pay yard in order to create an additional 56 parking bays for shoppers.
With 40 stores in total, anchor tenants comprise Pick n Pay, Mr Price, Pep, Ackermans, Waltons, Clicks, Absa, Sheet Street and Contempo, with Ackermans, Pep Store and Mr Price having recently been newly fitted out. Other tenants include major chains stores, national brand names and exclusive fashion boutiques. The mall also provides 24-hour security.
New stores, which have opened in the mall during the past eight months, include Biltong Huys, Captains Toys and Gifts, Max Box Fish and Chips and Christian Connexion, with new stores opening soon for VIP Dry Cleaning, Nuts about Snacks and Spices, Waltons and Car City Service. In addition, the modern and elegant Care Cure Clinic, which occupies in excess of 982m2 on the second floor, opened its doors for trade in June, adjacent to Finetech Dental Laboratory. A few stores been repositioned within the centre with Danayla's Hair and Beauty Salon and VIP Dry Cleaning relocating to the ground retail floor.
"We are still in discussions with a number of tenants and we have made good progress in respect of doctors' rooms, coffee shops and other offerings typically found in community malls. The centre will now retake its rightful place in the Benoni community as the preferred retail offering on the northern side of the N12," concludes van Reenen.
