CONSTRUCTION on Mbhashe LG Mall in Mbhashe, Eastern Cape, has begun. The new rural retail centre will open in early 2025. Mbhashe LG Mall was designed by MDS Architecture, in association with Architects Unbound, for owners Exemplar REItail Ltd, McCormick Property Development, and co-developer Seven Days Trading Pty Ltd
Louis Pretorius, MDS Architecture partner, says that the design of the structure utilizes a geometric pattern to mark the entrance as well as to break up the three-metre-wide covered walkways.
“Matching abstract geometric pattern structures appear to hold up the porte cochere at the main entrance. While the colour palette of the main structure is subdued in hues of grey, the steel geometric structures stand out in a contrasting pure white colour,” says Pretorius.
The V-shaped geometric patterns are repeated alongside the curved food court area with outside seating. Flooring along the covered walkways takes the form of hard-wearing brick paving. Inside, the length of the mall leading to anchor tenant Shoprite is awash with natural light from clerestorey windows. Pixelated patterns using porcelain tiles demarcate walkways and lead the eye towards the supermarket entrance.
Offering 20 131 sqm of GLA, Mbhashe LG Mall will also include artwork murals by local artists. A new traffic circle creates access to the shopping centre on the N2 national route passing through the town of Idutywa.
The design of Mbhashe LG Mall was informed by the local natural landscape, vegetation and the nearby Mbhashe River. The greenfield development is designed to be built on split levels to address the sloping site. Water is obtained from an existing borehole on the site.
The building offers parking for 493 vehicles and a taxi rank with 40 bays. The anchor tenants are Boxer and Shoprite, with national tenants making up the balance of the shopping options.
Professional Team:
- Architects: MDS Architecture, in association with: Architects Unbound
- Developers: Exemplar REItail Ltd/ McCormick Property Development
- Co-Developers Seven Days Trading Pty Ltd
- Quantity Surveyor: Quanticost Quantity Surveyors
- Civil Engineer: Africoast Consulting Engineers
- Structural Engineer Struxit Projects
- Electrical engineer: Inplan Consulting Engineers
- Mechanical engineer: Pretocon
- Fire engineer: Pretocon
- Main contractor: Mike Buyskes Construction
