The shopping centre is to be built by Silverleaf Developers, a joint venture of three of South Africa's pre-eminent property developers: Limpopo-based Moolman Group (40%), Uniqon Wonings (40%) and Flanagan & Gerard Property Development and Investment (20%). The last two are also partners in the Mall of North development in Polokwane, Limpopo.
It will be developed on a 12 hectare site in Onverwacht in the Greater Lephalale area, adjacent to and seamlessly linked with the existing town centre of Onverwacht. In terms of the Lephalale Integrated Development Plan, it forms part of the town centre itself. Construction is expected to begin in mid-2010.
The development includes substantial 42 000m² shopping centre, of which the R400 million first phase will comprise between 32 000m² and 35 000m² - set to be the foremost shopping destination in the area which will retain its relevance as the market grows.
In a linked project, developers also plan to build some 17 000m² office park on the 2.8 hectare site adjacent to the shopping centre, to serve businesses in the area.
It will be the definitive retail centre serving Lephalale and its surrounds with its central location, easy access, generous parking and unprecedented shopping variety all under a single roof. Leasing of the centre is already underway and the development has already met with excellent national and local tenant support.
“Lephalale is at the centre of a very exciting area that has shown tremendous growth which is geared to continue. Retail is an important part of any community and, as Lephalale's economy evolves, it is important to have retail which serves its needs, and benefits the community on multiple levels,” says Jannie Moolman of Moolman Group.
Underpinning the area's economic growth are a diversity of industries, substantial projects and Lephalale's proximity to Botswana, with the town being only some 70 km from the nearest border post to this coal-rich neighbour.
The new R170 billion Eskom Medupi power station, widespread agriculture and game farming, eco-tourism, the massive coal fields which enjoy investment from South Africa's major mining companies and the Mmamabula coal project in Botswana are all contributing to elevate Lephalale's status on South Africa's economic map.
“We are confident that the investment in this exciting new shopping centre will also make a strong positive contribution to the area's prosperity by both serving and furthering the economy of Lephalale,” says Henry Bendeman of Uniqon Wonings.
The Lephalale area will benefit from increased job creation with the developers committed to working with local contractors in as many instances as possible and an estimated 1000 permanent jobs are expected to be created on completion of the projects.
“This investment represents sustainable economic growth and the generation of new employment. It is also positioned to create thriving new markets for Lephalale,” notes Patrick Flanagan of Flanagan & Gerard.
In addition to giving local residents access to a new experience with the shops and products they want in a single convenient location, the new shopping centre will also assist in keeping local spend in Lephalale. At the same time, it will attract shoppers from across the regional and as far afield as Botswana.
In fact, the centre's location firmly establishes it as a central, social community point for the town of Lephalale and its neighbours. The shopping centre is located between Thabo Mbeki and Nelson Mandela Drives, the two major east west arterial roads that link Ellisras, Onverwacht, the coal fields and power stations to the west and the town's airfield.
