Big Bay's retail Eden opens

Hailed as a first of its kind in South Africa because of its location on the shore of a world-class beach, Eden on the Bay has no road separating it from the shore. With its postcard views of Table Mountain and Robben Island, it's poised to become the Western Cape's newest tourist attraction. Big Bay Beach is a mere 20 minutes from Cape Town's CBD.

Retail mix

The retail offering is anchored by a Pick n Pay Family Store and Clicks Pharmacy, which are complemented by a balanced range of beauty, health, fashion, convenience, service and speciality stores, as well as ATMs representing all major banks.

Opening over the coming weeks, the cosmopolitan selection of restaurants (including Moyo - due to open later this year) will be the highlight of the retail attraction, with their expansive ocean views and outside seating, spilling out onto a large deck bordering a lawned picnic area.

The vision of developers Asrin and Mvelaprop has resulted in a R500 million development comprising a combination of retail, residential and office space. The 7,433m² retail area was specifically planned for the ground floor and interspersed by open spaces, courtyards and pedestrian walkways - with virtually uninterrupted access to the beach and no building more than three storeys high.

As Gafoor Kahn, Asrin's Executive Director, sums it, “There is nothing that separates Eden on the Bay from the sea, only the beach.”

The development has already had a significant economic impact through the creation of temporary job opportunities during the construction phases and will continue to do so in the future through jobs created by shops and restaurants and auxiliary services.

Opening specials and events

The centre's retailers will offer exclusive opening specials over the coming days and customers can also enter a competition where R25,000 worth of prizes can be won from Flight Centre, Zen Aesthetic Dental Spa, Smoothe Beauty Bar, About Cats & Dogs, and Exquisite Eyes Optometrist.

This weekend (28 - 29 March 2009) Eden on the Bay will host opening events on the lawned picnic area and on the beach. During “Play on the Bay”, learners from two local schools will compete in the first Eden on the Bay Interschool Summer Challenge in a series of sand and sea challenges such as beach volleyball, tug-of-war, flag sprints, hula-hoop, dance offs, sand castle building and a beach clean-up.

This fun event will be taking place on Saturday, 28 March from 11am - 4pm. There will also be loads of other fun activities for the whole family on Saturday and Sunday, including adventure jumping castles for the young ones and a Moyo entertainment line-up with favourites such as face painters, Call of the African Drum and Xhosa story circles.

For more information, visit: www.edenonthebaymall.co.za