Greenacres R420m revamp to be completed midyear

The transformation of Port Elizabeth's retail icon is set to wrap up in the first half of next year.

The upgrade is one of the many transformations undertaken by the architectural firm, which has a long relationship with Greenacres, having been at the helm since the design of the original building for OK Bazaars (now Shoprite/Checkers), which opened in 1981.

Since the building of OK Bazaars on the grounds of the former Fairview Racecourse, Greenacres has grown into a 46500m² shopping centre, being joined over the years by Shoprite, Woolworths and The Bridge.

Although the four entities are separately owned, they boast a combined gross lettable area of about 90000m².

Jannie Wagenaar, one of the SVA architects heading the project, said the revamp has taken Greenacres from an eighties icon and transformed it into a contemporary attraction with floating cantilevered roofs at its imposing entrances, an abundance of natural light and an airy atmosphere.

"When Greenacres opened its doors, the in-vogue shopping centre design was very much a heavy geometric-patterned style, with low ceilings and narrow passages," Wagenaar said.

"Over the years, shopping centres have developed into very social spaces, with wide, flowing walkways, high ceilings and lots of natural light. This is what the new Greenacres represents."

SVA associate and lead architect on the project, Shadley Ravat, says stores spill onto walkways with much less of a divide between them and the general public areas, which gives the effect of walking down a main shopping street.

"The combination of the relocated food court as a social and commercial connector, the bold entrances, new branding, and creative freedom given to SVA has resulted in a revitalised, contemporary renovation," he said.

Greenacres manager Brent Starr described the transformation as "night and day".

"It is a total overhaul, bringing in a clean, classic look and taking out all the clutter," he said.

Source: Herald