Mall opens next week
2005-10-13
THE Paarl Mall, the R320 million regional shopping centre in the Paarl Valley, is set to open its doors to the public on Thursday, promising a significant boost to the Drakenstein area.
It is estimated that Paarl Mall will generate up to 1000 permanent jobs, which will be filled predominantly by local residents.
Drawing its market from a 20-40km radius, the 35 000m˛ regional shopping centre will service the primary trade areas of Paarl, Wellington and Franschhoek, while consumers will also be drawn from as far afield as Stellenbosch, Klapmuts, Worcester, Tulbagh, Montagu, Ceres, Robertson, Malmesbury and the rest of the Swartland.
Construction of the centre which commenced in September 2004, will open on schedule.The tenant mix includes anchor tenants Pick ‘n Pay, Edgars and Woolworths, supported by Truworths Group brands, the Pepkor/Ackermans Group brands, ten Foschini Group brands, four Mr Price Group brands, and the Clicks Group brands, and all in all some 100 national, provincial and first time traders.
Patrick Flanagan of Flanagan & Gerard, co-developer of the Mall with the Grapnel Property Group, says: “Paarl Mall is fully let.
"The mix is comprehensive, covering fashion, food, sporting goods, gifts and speciality wear, jewellery, computers, housewares, restaurants, fast food outlets and banks, travel agents and other services.
“A strong emphasis on local participation has been employed with a number of speciality stores reflecting local products and bringing a significant wineland flavour to the centre.”
Flanagan adds that the design of the centre takes its cue from the local architectural vernacular of the Paarl area.
“On initiation of the project, the architects did an intensive study of local architectural styles and materials, and in keeping with their findings, the centre incorporates finishes in wood, stone, and other natural materials.
“The building has been sensitively positioned on the site so as to respect the magnificent scenery of the Paarl Valley and the area’s rich cultural heritage.”
Tangible evidence of the beneficial impact of the Mall is a R15 million upgrading of the road network in immediate proximity to the Mall.
A new off-ramp has been completed for northbound traffic using the N1, which links to Cecilia Street and the Mall through a new traffic circle at the confluence of Cecilia Street and Arboretum Avenue.
Arboretum Avenue has in addition been re-aligned and upgraded. The Cecilia Street bridge over the N1 has been re-engineered and together with the construction of a new on-ramp to the N1, will facilitate traffic heading towards Cape Town.
New traffic lights will assist in controlling traffic at the Van Riebeeck/Arboretum Avenue and Cecilia Street/Berg River Boulevard junctions.
This investment in the area’s infrastructure
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