Medical centre rises from eyesore Ballito Bay mall

A first-class medical and mixed-use development is set to replace the old Ballito Bay Mall in the upper town.

The R350 million Ballito Vitality and Retail Centre will completely change the face of the property, by incorporating elements of retail, residential, health, work, and play. In an exclusive interview with the Courier last week, the new owners of the mall revealed their plans for completely transforming the mall, which was liquidated several years ago.

The new developers operate several healthcare facilities around the country.

Architect Charles Taylor said the existing structure, which he said was structurally sound, would be extended to include a much-needed 36-bed day hospital facility, 36-bed sub-acute hospital, offices for specialists, a gym, retail shops, office space, a boutique hotel, and 80 residential units.

The retail and healthcare section of the building is the first phase of the development and is planned to be completed by the end of next year.

“We want to offer convenient services which people would not have to go into shopping centres for. The main draw card is the health facility on the ground and lower ground floors, which will be run by a national hospital group”

Plans for the medical centre include oncology and cardiometabolic treatments, diabetes and endocrinology centres as well as a stroke rehab unit. The day hospital will provide facilities for day surgery and the sub-acute facility will cater mainly for patients who have undergone surgery and need to recover at a lower cost than hospitals would charge.”

Taylor said once the healthcare and retail aspects were complete, work would begin on residential and commercial units.

“There has been a very positive response from tenants for the retail element and we will announce the brands early next year. The hotel and residential units will be built in the second phase of operations.”

Tenant manager Neil Cocker said they did not intend to make the centre another retail node competing with The Junction and Lifestyle Centre. The retail sector was intended to provide convenience shopping.

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