The 17,500m² Protea Gardens shopping mall in Soweto is set to get a 7,000m² extension as well as more fashion and fast-food outlets.

Jean Groenewald, MD of Green wold Property Development, which developed and owns the mall, says the group is in talks with the city council to get its site development ready for phase two extensions.

"We are going to increase the retail component with more fashion, furniture and fast-food outlets, as well as other speciality stores," says Groenewald.

He says the group is involved in "extended discussions" with Woolworths, which has indicated that it would be interested in establishing a store at the shopping mall.

The first phase of the mall was completed at the end of April last year, and the mall is celebrating its first anniversary.

"It has been trading excellently. Of particular interest is that the fast-food outlets are doing excellent turnovers,  and so are the national retailers,? says Groenewald. There are no vacancies in the mall.

Some residential developments in Soweto are also set to boost positively affect trading at the mall. Among these residential developments is a proposed 3,035-unit housing development in Protea Glen, being financed by First National Bank. The R500m residential development will be situated near the Protea Gardens mall.

Groenewald says it appears there are a number of new residential developments being built around in Soweto. He says these will bring more people to Soweto the area and more foot traffic to the mall.

"It also increases the direct trad ing area."

Meanwhile the 50,000m² Jabulani Mall, which is also being developed in Soweto by Greenwold Property Development, is "progressing well", says Groenewald. Jabulani Mall The mall will open its doors on October 26.

Business Day
 
Publisher: I-Net Bridge
Source: I-Net Bridge