INVESTEC Property Group is to begin construction of a R70 million retail centre, The Paddocks, at the Royal Ascot development at Milnerton racecourse this month.

The 9 000m2 shopping centre is scheduled for completion in August next year. It will be on the corner of Otto du Plessis and Racecourse Roads, with good exposure and access to the surrounding suburbs of Royal Ascot, Milnerton, Sunset Beach, Sunset Links, and Milnerton Ridge. It will also provide for the shopping needs of the huge growth areas of Blaauwberg, Big Bay, and Atlantic Beach, to the north of The Paddocks, and is ideally positioned for commuters using Otto du Plessis, Koeberg and Racecourse roads. Ollie Flynn, of Investec Property Group, says The Paddocks has been designed and tenanted to complement the Royal Ascot brand and to provide the upmarket convenience retail element needed in the Milnerton area.

The centre will integrate and complement Royal Ascot and takes into account stringent design guidelines and aesthetic considerations. Architects Bentel Associates International have applied contemporary architecture that is sympathetic to the equestrian theme at Royal Ascot. Plans for the centre include a fully enclosed and air-conditioned mall and food court.

The inspiration for the initial concept for the building came from established forms and structures, such as the parade rings and stables that were part of the Milnerton race track. The overall massing of the building is broken up into three main components whose forms are dictated by their functions. The east end has the simple square form of the supermarket,.

The west end has an oval form and is the restaurant and entertainment area, with high shop fronts and arched colonnades to allow views of Table Bay, Table Mountain, Robben Island and Rietvlei. The line shop and mall component, which links these spaces, has a barn-like structure and clerestory lighting.

Tony Heath, of Investec Property Group and responsible for the leasing of The Paddocks, said the development was 75% let. It would have a Super Spar corporate flagship store of 2 500m2 as anchor tenant. A 1 000m2 Standard Bank is moving from its West Coast headquarters to The Paddocks. Market research has suggested that such a move would be beneficial to this branch and its customers. Customers will also have the advantages of a vibrant food court and a superior selection of shops handpicked to serve the discerning residents of the area.

The enclosed double-volume glass-fronted food court is on the sea-facing side of the site. "We have carefully selected restaurants and eateries for the food court that will cater for all moods and palates and we have ensured quality is the overriding factor," said Heath. The food tenants include Wang Thai, Mugg 'n Bean, Fishmonger as well as a Keg. The Paddocks is not, however, the only element of Royal Ascot to have been welcomed by the market.

Royal Ascot has also been a huge success from a residential perspective, according to Heath. The first finished units have been handed over and around 170 houses will be completed by the end of this month within three developments, including Tuscan, French Provencal and Cape Cod architecture.

A further 400 units have been sold off-plan and services and infrastructure are being installed. It is expected the units in this phase will be handed over around June next year. The remaining 800 units are to be sold off-plan by mid-2004, so by mid-2005 there will be around 1 300 completed houses ranging in price from R450 000 to R1.3 million. The Paddocks will meet the day-to-day retail needs of this new development, as well as those of Sunset Beach, Sunset Links, Milnerton proper and Milnerton Ridge.

For further information, contact Tony Heath at 021 416 3009