The first phase of the new 23,000m² Melrose Arch Shopping, which promises some of the most exciting retail and leisure options in South Africa, is reportedly already over 80% let and on schedule to open in April 2009.
Melrose Arch Development Company Director Nicholas Stopforth reports that the response from retailers to Melrose Arch Shopping has been exceedingly positive: one of the key reasons cited includes the fact that leading retailers participated in the conception of Melrose Arch Shopping, in consultation with the developer’s team. Other related factors include the careful attention to tenant mix and design as well as the ability to capture patronage, both from the growing local business/resident population, as well as from an increasing 'destination' orientated upmarket clientelle.
The nucleus of Melrose Arch Shopping is The Piazza, a subtly-tiered urban square featuring a landmark campanile. The Piazza is designed to offer seamless connectivity to other areas of Melrose Arch, linking via High Street to Melrose Square. Parking in the convenient and secure super-basement is just steps away.
Inspired by the world's great piazzas, arcades and malls and combining the best of traditional high street shopping and retail centres, Melrose Arch Shopping will be anchored by a singular three-level, 6,825m² flagship Woolworths store, together with 11 retailers from the Truworths and Foschini groups spanning 7,500m² - Uzzi, Young Designers Emporium, Identity and @Home into the trendy precinct, as well as Due South, Sport Scene, Foschini, American Swiss, Markhams, Truworths and Truworths Man.
Offering a melting pot of the trends from the likes of True Religion Denim Bar, Mac Cosmetics, Lacoste, Ben Sherman, Geri, Levinson’s Man – which offers glamorous brands such as Hugo Boss and Mont Blanc – and a brand new concept Levinson’s Lady, together with a number of exclusive boutiques, Melrose Arch Shopping is set to join the ranks of leading international shopping destinations.
Extending its position as Gauteng’s ultimate dining destination, even more finesse will be introduced with the unparalleled new dining options of Melrose Arch Shopping, complementing the already diverse and exciting menu of Melrose Arch.
Conrad Gallagher – the youngest chef ever to receive a coveted Michelin Star for his restaurant Peacock Alley in Dublin and named one of Conde Naste Traveller's Top 15 in the World – will be introducing his new restaurant Geisha’s. The uber glamorous Pigalle Restaurants, created by restaurant gurus Naldo and Victor Goncalves of original Vilamoura fame and known for offering a veritable culinary emporium of style and sophistication, will introduce the unique Pigalle Platinum. While the sensational forces behind the JB Rivers and JB’s Corner concepts will join their exceptional skills to create Grand Central.
Adding even more flavour to the mix, Mangiare restaurant will offer authentic traditional Italian cuisine. New generation coffee shop Tashas is set to host the international coffee culture and the mouth watering Mediterranean offering of Doppio Patisserie also be introduced.
For those with inimitable tastes, Melrose Arch Shopping will offer hand-picked specialised shops from wine and liquor merchant Norman Goodfellows, Exclusive Books and Bookdealers of Rivonia, Sony Centre and a glamorous mix of health, beauty, hair, cosmetics and jewellery specialists.
Stopforth explains that owners are presently hand-selecting retailers which will complement and enhance this extraordinary tenant mix to conclude the leasing of the first phase.
“The main factors which have had retailers buzzing to secure their place in Melrose Arch Shopping are simple: the precinct’s established popularity, the desirability of its market for retailers, its unique concept and energy and its superb landmark location which offers both exceptional visibility and accessibility,” reports Stopforth.
He also announced that, confirming the popularity of Melrose Arch Shopping with South Africa’s preeminent retailers, Edcon’s flagship department store Edgars will be opening a 3,650m2 store which will anchor the 5,300m2 second phase of Melrose Arch Shopping, due to open in October 2009.
“Melrose Arch is a concept perfectly tuned to suburban Johannesburg. In addition to serving a local population of nearly 100 000 up-market customers, the centre is a magnet for entertaining and dining,” says Edcon CEO Steve Ross. “With our store and the other key tenants we hope to compound the attraction of Melrose Arch Shopping. We are excited at the commercial prospects and look forward to trading in this new location.”
Publisher: eProp
Source: MADC
