Drawing from four existing sites, the Mutual Mall project included the building of a 10-storey parking garage, the upgrade of offices in 300 Smith Street building, the creation of 50 new retail outlets and the renovation of the Main Foyer of Old Mutual Centre.

The project involved upgrading an existing retail arcade on the ground floors of Old Mutual Centre and 300 Smith Street buildings into a safe and convenient mall experience, resulting in a new tenant mix development for a world class retail offering in the Durban CBD.

Nestled between the streets of West, Gardiner and, Smith and Mercury Lane, Mutual Mall with about 4 200m², is an oasis within the heart of the CBD, offering office tenants working within the CBD a convenient, up-market and distinguished retail offering that’s different, fresh and stimulating.

The four previous structures included the magnificent 31-storey A-grade tenanted office block, Old Mutual Centre; 300 Smith Street, which is an economical 18-storey office block which has undergone an upgrade to an A-grade building; and Gardiner House and Mutual Building which were demolished to create additional parking - about 400 additional bays resulted in a total of 800 bays (3 per 100m²).

“The value of the precinct has been maximised by modernising the finishes in the lift lobbies, upgrading the air-conditioning system, refurbishing the tenant interiors of 300 Smith Street building by upgrading the ceilings and power skirtings and providing the entire retail area that links all the buildings with a makeover,” says Geoff Bright, OMIGPI’s Regional Development Manager.

An ideal destination for office workers within the CBD, Mutual Mall is set to offer coffee shops, restaurants, banking services, fashion stores, a number of cellular shops and an optometrist. Other tenants still to come include a pharmacy, a supermarket, a hair salon and office services. “The central focal point is the food court area comprising a common area seating court, with the food outlets flanked around the court,” Bright added.

OMIGPI Property Development executive, Brent Wiltshire, says an investment in KwaZulu-Natal is worthwhile.

“Having successfully led the way in both Johannesburg and Cape Town, Old Mutual Investment Group Property Investments is ideally placed when it comes to inner city rejuvenation,” Wiltshire said.

The upgrade commenced in June 2008, and was launched last week just in time for this year’s festive season.