Convenience Drives Centre’s Impressive Growth

Convenience Drives Centre’s Impressive Growth

No stranger to property development in Boksburg, Charlie Bentel, managing director of Bentel Property Consultants, says the vision they had for the K90 Centre 20 years ago has certainly come to fruition. The Bentel families have been major players in retail property since the 1970’s and developed the Boksburg Hypermarket, which set the trend for a new retail shopping era and boosted Boksburg as a prime developable area. The Advertiser chats to Charlie about the K90 Centre’s growth:
What was your vision for the K90 Centre?
When we opened the centre in early June 1997, our design was that of a “value centre”, offering big shops at low rentals. The centre steadily developed into one of Boksburg’s premier destination and convenience centres, offering great value to shoppers. We’re extremely proud the K90 is now a landmark on the busy North Rand/Rondebult road routes and, while one of many shopping centres in the area, it has maintained a unique speciality feel.
How would you define the centre?
When we identified the need for a ‘park and shop’ centre, our vision started to take shape. With the prime location and a centre that would offer the convenience of this type of shopping experience, we knew we were on the right track. Today, the K90 Centre is an established, successful, progressive shopping centre which is well known and acknowledged for its convenience and speciality blend of tenants.
What have been the highlights and milestones?
The first five years were tough trading years. The economy was in a recession and interest rates peaked at 24 per cent in 1998/99. We were proactive in securing convenience stores, such as Meat World, Baby Boom, Music Mate, Volpes, Shave Paints, and many other destination-type stores, and this new tenant mix heralded an exciting time for us – a positive transition which took us through to 2007.
Then, a new strategy was executed for the K90 Centre which involved a redesign of the centre’s look and feel. We changed the entire facade of the shopping centre to give it a more upmarket feel. The fresh, modern revamp attracted, over the years, tenants such as Hirsch’s Homestore, Turn ‘n Tender, Andiccio24, Ocean Basket and Bride & Co.


How developed was the Boksburg/North Rand Road retail space 20 years ago?
The K90 Centre was the furthest east retail shopping centre development at the time.
Who were the main players in retail development then?
The main players in the market at that time were Sanlam, who had just purchased the East Rand Mall, as well as my cousins, Brian, Hilary, Aubrey and Selwyn Bentel, who had started planning their developments in the area, The Palms Centre and East Rand Retail Park.
How many developments and which type of developments had the Bentels already established in Boksburg 20 years ago?
The Hypermarket and the East Rand Mall had been conceived and developed by the Bentel family.
What significant trends have you witnessed in retail development in Boksburg over the years?
The trend that we have observed is that shopping centres in size of between 20 000 and 40 000 square metres have proven to be the most successful as there is enough critical mass to formulate the shopping experience that shoppers are looking for.


What significant trends have you witnessed in retail shopping trends in Boksburg and in general over the years?
We have noticed that people are definitely looking for convenience shopping at good value, great prices and a wide range of goods.
What challenges have developers faced in Boksburg? What challenges still exist?
We have been fortunate to have had a competent and professional Ekurhuleni town planning department as well as an efficient Boksburg planning department, and very supportive water and sanitation department. These city employees are always available to meet and explore the growth of the area, with a view to the success of the traders and the council. By being supportive and proactive, these council departments have created the opportunity for developers to build residential and retail properties and create employment, which benefits Boksburg as a whole. The challenge has been and remains to maintain achievable and sustainable rentals with good tenants and maintaining a fully let shopping centre. I am proud to say that the K90 Centre is 100 per cent fully let.
Why do you love Boksburg?
I definitely believe that the people are what make Boksburg great. The community is straight-forward, down-to-earth, happy and supportive.
What have you learnt over the past 20 years?
The more attention you give your properties and the more involved the landlord is with the tenants, the greater the success is for all!

Event Address & GPS Location

See Below The Location To The K90 20th Year Celebration 2017 Event.

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