The construction of the Ekhaya Mall has commenced. The Phase 1, R172m development including the Cashbuild and the Sasol filling station will bring long-awaited shopping convenience to the community of Embalenhle, Secunda in the coalfields of Mpumalanga, when it opens in the last quarter of 2020.
Preparation work for the mall began in September, and bulk excavations are currently underway on site. Construction of the top structure is expected to commence around the beginning of November 2019. The Ekhaya Mall is developed by S-Identity Holdings and co-owned by S-Identity Holdings, Cashbuild South Africa and Nomatiki Trading Enterprise.
David Lieberman, Director of S-Identity Holdings says, “We are thrilled to begin the construction of the Ekhaya Mall and excited to create this asset for Embalenhle and its surrounds. The mall has been designed to bring convenient shopping right to the doorstep of its community and make it easier to fulfil daily retail, banking, medical and social needs in an enjoyable, quality environment.”
The Ekhaya Mall will ultimately offer some 14,000sqm of retail space. Its owners are taking a prudent phased approach to the development. The first phase will be 10,600sqm, growing by 2,050sqm in the second phase and a further 1,350sqm in the third and final phase.
“We believe in developing in the most responsible manner, given the current challenging South African economic environment, and only developing space that has been leased. Presently that includes the first phase of the mall. This approach has resulted in us securing the best available tenants for Ekhaya Mall, and has proved successful in our previous developments,” says David Lieberman of S-Identity Holdings.
“The mall’s phase 1 retail space is already 93% let. Phase 2 is now 65% leased and we are planning the commencement of that phase prior to the completion of construction of phase 1”.
With a tenant mix especially selected for its community, the Ekhaya Mall will include a convenient line-up of South Africa’s most popular retail brands, including Cashbuild, Shoprite, K-nect, Roots Butchery, Roots Home and Roots Grill as well as Pep, Ackermans, Rage, Pep Cell, KFC, Maxbox Fish & Chips amongst others.
These big names will be joined by unique regional concepts, including Pharmacy @Ekhaya, The Urban Store, Wide Changtai, and Vanci Cash Loans. The mall includes a medical component including prominent medical and health practitioners Francois Pretorius GP, Reino Muller Biokinetics, and Impilo Diagnostic X-Rays. It will also offer ATMs from ABSA, Standard Bank, Capitec and FNB. More retailer names will be announced in due course.
Adding to its convenience, the Ekhaya Mall will enjoy a prime position at the bustling intersection of the R580 and the R546, right at the entrance to the Embalenhle township. It is ideally located to serve the community of Embalenhle as well as consumers from nearby, Evander, Secunda and Trichardspruit.
Positioned for superb visibility and to take advantage of access from both busy crossroads, the mall’s development will result in substantial improvements to the surrounding roads. The project will add turning lanes and slip roads, reinstate public transport laybys, and introduce traffic signals to the intersection of the R580 and R546, the main roads into Embalenhle from Secunda and from Evander and Standerton, respectively. It will also create easy access directly into the mall from the R580 and R546.
Importantly, local public transport will also receive a boost as a result of the development, with a new 17 taxi bay facility at the mall.
The local economy will also be enhanced by the development with the project expected to create approximately 960 temporary local labour jobs during its construction phase both on and off site and approximately 390 permanent jobs once it opens both in the retail employment and management of the mall. Its owners are prioritising contracting employment and services from the local community wherever possible.
The Ekhaya Mall’s entrances will be its stand-out architectural features, defined by projected roof canopies which will be beacons on the local landscape. The materials, textures and colours used will define its presence in the area.
The mall’s thoughtful design also considers the environment by using a natural ventilation system within the walkways of the mall, with elevated roof structures above the shops that allow natural air and light to pass and flow through the walkways. Simultaneously, the heat generated inside shops and walkways is drawn up and out through the roof in a chimney effect. This also reduces the need for internal artificial lighting and creates a comfortable environment for shoppers to spend their leisure time in the mall. Moreover, it reduces the overall running costs of the mall by lowering its energy consumption.
Indigenous low-maintenance trees, bushes and shrubbery are intended to be planted as part of the mall’s landscaping in response to conserving water resources.
David Lieberman says, “We are incredibly pleased that all the planning and preparation for Ekhaya Mall is on the way to becoming a reality and creating a quality shopping and meeting place that genuinely serves the retail needs of the entire family and community, all under one roof.”
NOTE TO EDITORS:
About S-Identity Holdings
S-Identity Holdings is a development and implementation company directed by David Lieberman who has completed the Genesis on Fairmount mixed use development and the Eyethu Orange Farm Mall and who is currently developing the 12,000m2 Nasrec Corner @ Southgate amongst other numerous residential developments.
About Cashbuild South Africa
Cashbuild is the largest retailer of building materials and associated products in southern Africa with a network of 317 stores - www.cashbuild.co.za
About Nomatiki Trading Enterprise
Nomatiki Trading Enterprise specialises in building construction and the supply of building material and furniture - www.nomatikitrading.co.za
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