Giuricich Bros clinches mall building contracts

Giuricich Bros Construction - the South African independent and family owned construction firm - has increased its presence in the retail development sector by securing the lucrative building contracts for the new 45,000m² Springs Mall at Blue Crane Eco Park and the 15,000m² expansion of the well-established Vaal Mall.

While construction on these major Gauteng mall projects are well underway, Giuricich Bros is celebrating its work done on the World Wildlife Fund South Africa's new Joburg green office building. The building, in Braamfontein in the Joburg CBD, which was completed by Giuricich Bros earlier this year, was recently awarded a Six-Star Green Star SA Office Design rating by the Green Building Council of SA.

"Giuricich Bros being the main building contractor on these landmark developments is a big feather in our cap. We are immensely proud to be involved in these developments, which cap off 2015 as a milestone year for the group," said Gerard Giuricich, a director of Giuricich Bros Construction.

"Together, Springs Mall and Vaal Mall represent projects of over R1.4 billion. While we have undertaken retail developments in the past, these new mall projects are our largest retail developments to date as the main contractor. Springs Mall is an all-new regional shopping centre and a particularly significant project for Giuricich Bros and the family, as we are also shareholders in the development."

A key role

Giuricich said the group has played a key role in helping to unlock the Springs Mall development, which was first punted by the Springs-based D'Arrigo family several years back. Construction on the mall finally broke ground earlier this year. Besides the Giuricich and D'Arrigo families, the other shareholders in the development include leading shopping centre developers and leasing specialists, Flanagan & Gerard Property Development & Investment; and JSE-listed retail focused REIT, Vukile Property Fund.

"It is great to be associated with experts in the retail development and investment sector through the Springs Mall project. As a billion rand retail development with over 150 stores, the mall is a major investment in Springs and is going to be a world-class regional shopping destination in the area when it opens in March 2017," said Giuricich.

"Our association with Flanagan & Gerard on the Springs Mall development saw Giuricich Bros Construction tendering for the Vaal Mall project. We secured the construction contract for the expansion of Vaal Mall, which is jointly owned by Flanagan & Gerard and Sycom Property Fund/Growthpoint Properties. This 15,000m² expansion will take the mall to 65,000m² in size and entrench it as a dominant regional shopping centre in the Vaal Triangle," he added.