New Cornubia shopping mall takes shape
New mall will be half the size of the Gateway Theatre of Shopping says developers.
SHOPPERS will soon be spoilt for choice as the new 85,000m² Cornubia shopping mall is set to open in September 2017. The mall is rising from the old cane fields alongside the M41 at Flanders Road. Roughly half the size of the Gateway Theatre of Shopping, the building will boast two supermarkets and 1 630 parking bays and 1 608 basement bays.
The mall is strategically located near the uMhlanga/Mt Edgecombe interchange. Although mixed use, the major portion of the Cornubia development will be residential, with 25 000 housing units ultimately being developed.
“This forms part of a holistic spatial development,” said Karen Petersen, development director of Tongaat Hulett Developments. “The shopping centre is one of the key amenities that will be provided to the 1 200 hectare mixed-use development which stretches from uMhlanga towards the King Shaka Airport. Construction began in March 2016 and, with six cranes in action, has already moved to the second level,” Petersen said.
“Boasting an innovative design, the shopping centre is 80 per cent let, with key national retailers as anchor tenants,” said Darryl Mayers, joint head of Investec Property. “We are delighted to be able to announce that the major food retailers Checkers, Pick ‘n Pay and Woolworths will have a presence in the centre as well as key clothing retailers, including Edgars and Truworths.”
Fitness enthusiasts will not be disappointed with a Virgin Active Gym signed up, while a Cycle Lab mega-store and trampoline park BOUNCE are also lined up. Other tenants which have been secured for the mall are Nu Metro, Outdoor Warehouse, Dis-Chem, Clicks and Bakos Brothers.
“The mall has been designed with families in mind and maximum convenience. At its heart, there will be an open air ‘town square’, comprising al-fresco style restaurants, tapas bars, coffee houses and fast food outlets as well as double-level concept stores. In addition, the mall will offer a mix of fashion, lifestyle and sports outlets, all integrated into an outdoor, family-orientated shopping destination,” Mayers said.
