Work has already commenced on the 27,339m2 property and is expected to be complete by mid-October 2010. Development manager, Xander Rau, says revamping the Ottery Hypermarket forms part of Redefine’s strategy to upgrade its major assets on a regular basis. “The upgrade of Ottery follows the recent refurbishment of the Pick ‘n Pay in the centre by the retail group,” he says.

Improvements to the premises will include retiling the mall areas of the Hypermarket complex with upmarket Italian tiles, which will be laid in a ‘piano key’ pattern similar to those at Cape Town International Airport.

In addition, the food court and one of the ablution blocks will be upgraded while the sewer and storm water systems will be overhauled.

Rau says the CCTV security service will be upgraded to bring it in line with major shopping centres internationally. “We will also touch up the paint where necessary and conduct significant roof repairs,” he says.

The professional team is made up of: KMH Architects, Slabber Fick Associates Quantity Surveyors, DSV Consulting Engineers, Sutherland Associates Consulting Engineers and Basil Nair and Associates Mechanical Engineers.  WBHO Construction and Scheltema Roofing Contractors have been contracted to handle various aspects of the project. Rau says the challenge for the contractors is to conduct the work without disrupting business too much.