A R105 million redevelopment of East London’s Vincent Park Shopping Centre, which will add a new mall in the north east corner of the complex, is underway.
Mike Rodel, regional general manager of Old Mutual Property Group, which is undertaking the redevelopment for Old Mutual, says the new 4 300m2 building will be linked into the existing centre in time for a grand relaunch in the second half of 2007.
“The redevelopment will allow a strengthening of the tenant mix and merchandise offering in response to market research. It will enhance the positioning of Vincent Park as a leading retail destination among a community which has given it great support over the years.“
Centre manager, Joseph Parsley, says the new mall will feature the Mr Price chain among leading national brands as well as local specialists
“Coupled with the building of the mall will be a comprehensive upgrade of the existing centre. The aim is to create a brand new look throughout Vincent Park. The upgrade will entail installation of new tiles, floors, lighting, shopfronts and facilities.”
He says that as the result of a traffic impact assessment study and discussions with Buffalo City Council traffic engineers, access to the site from surrounding roads will be improved. The changes are also aimed at helping to enhance traffic flow in the business node surrounding Vincent Park, he says.
“It is our intention to switch in time to a pay-on-foot parking system as opposed to paying at kiosks when leaving the centre. The introduction of this paying system will entail also the repositioning of booms to the parking areas to improve access and exiting.”
Parsley says that the programme for the upgrade of the existing centre will extend from the lower level of the centre through the rest of the complex for scheduled completion in 2007.
Vincent Park was last expanded and refurbished in 1997. The total gross lettable area of the centre will now increase to 36 285m2.
Ends
ISSUED FOR Old Mutual Properties
BY Michael Kerkhoff & Associates
INQUIRIES Mike Rodel 031-304-3581
Joseph Parsley 043-727-0990
Mike Kerkhoff 021-424-5280
Publisher: Old Mutual Properties
Source: Old Mutual Properties
