Inframax Developments, which is already half way to achieving its declared target of acquiring revenue-earning properties with a total value of over R100 million, has revealed plans to enhance the appearance and the profitability of the Arcadia Shopping Centre in Kraaifontein.

Rory McKellar-Basset of McKellar-Basset Properties, who assisted Inframax in this property acquisition and who is managing the centre for them said recently that they had been able to renegotiate the lease with the Spar group well prior to its expiry for a further ten years. This had resulted in their agreeing to upgrade and increase the 1,200m2 Kwikspar into a 2,152m2 Superspar outlet. The upgrade involves refurbishing, to Spar standards, certain space presently occupied by other tenants and building on a new 700m2 extension to the Spar outlet.

Work on the significant changes will begin in February next year and should be complete by the end of June. McKellar-Basset said that the upgrade will bring the Spar in line with that of others in the area which, he said, have all responded in recent years to the increasingly upwardly mobile status of their growing client base.

dhk Architects have been commissioned by Inframax to improve the aesthetics of the building and its exceptionally large parking facility which will accommodate 150 motorcars. This will be enhanced with more plants, dedicated paved walkways and green areas.

When the improvements are complete the refurbished centre, said McKellar-Basset, will be set to increase its trading volumes by approximately 20 to 25% per annum.

"Inframax bought the Arcadia Centre," he said, "because they believed it had "add value" potential. This move is merely a first step in ensuring that the centre does undergo a steady ongoing improvement so as to make it an attractive shopping focal point in the area."