“Our goal is to increase that spend, but already we compare favourably with regional centres elsewhere in the country,” says Highveld Mall centre manager Sandra Vanderwalt.

Located in the municipality of Emalahleni, the regional shopping centre lies at the Mandela Street off ramp from the N4 highway, right next to The Ridge Casino and Entertainment resort. The two properties are connected, via a link at the Restaurant Court, to enhance the retail and entertainment experience for consumers.

The secret of the mall’s success, adds Vanderwalt is that it appeals to a broader blend of consumers than traditional shopping centres of the same size – something reflected in the tenant mix which offers retailers ranging from major nationals like Woolworths and Pick ‘n Pay, to lifestyle retailers like Jeep, to specialty stores and restaurants. A host of personal and medical services adds to the shopping experience.

The centre, which cost R450 million to build, is owned by a consortium that includes Resilient Property Income Fund, Mogwele Properties and Flanagan & Gerard Property Investment and Development.

And if Resilient’s recently-released financials are anything to go by, the mall is already starting to pay off for its owners, with rental income reported for the fund’s Mpumalanga properties in 2007 at R47 million already double the 2006 figure of R23 million.

The mall’s tenants are happy too. Regwoods director Issy Zimmerman reports that the Reggie’s toy store in Highveld Mall outperformed even stores located in large Gauteng super regional malls for the December 2007 shopping period.

The success of the mall isn’t just about the retail numbers, though. It is also at the heart of a development surge in Emahlaleni that’s making the commercial and industrial property industry sit up and take notice.

Mining giant Billiton’s new SA national head office is located close by, as is the N4 Business Park and an array of new office blocks, a petrol station and car dealerships. Directly across from the mall is Corridor Hill, a mixed-use development planned for commercial, light industrial and residential uses. A further five residential developments come on line this year in close proximity, adding no less than 600 households in Highveld Mall’s direct catchment area.

“The appeal of the expanding business node has a great deal to do with both The Ridge, and more recently, the great success of Highveld Mall,” believes Vanderwalt.