A new R110-million shopping centre is being built in the Western Cape town of Grabouw.

Local property development company Realcor Cape is developing the 6 700-m2 Marsh Rose mall next to the N2 highway at the gateway to Grabouw.

Realcor Cape’s Danie Kotze tells Engineering News that it is expected that the anchor tenant of the project, a 2 200-m2 Super Spar, will open its doors in November.

The 30 other shops in the mall will include a mix of retail tenants.

“Marsh Rose mall will have every- thing that the locals and tourists could want – from Sunlight to sosaties,” Kotze says.

Grabouw is about an hour’s drive from Cape Town on the N2, and the Rose Marsh mall is adjacent to the highway and on the way to the popular holiday destination of Hermanus and other seaside towns in the southern Cape.

More than 16 000 cars pass by the town every day.

The new development has created employment for about 500 construction workers and retail employees.

Kotze says that the mall is core to the rejuvenation of Grabouw, “which desperately needs development”.

“The town and surrounds will certainly benefit from the project, which is the first mall-type retail project in the area,” he adds.

Besides creating employment, the mall will also provide locals with easy access to shopping facilities.

Rose Marsh mall is considering offering free shuttle bus services for those members of the community who do not live within walking distance of the shopping centre.

Kotze says that, if implemented, it is believed that the shuttle services would be the first of its kind in a retail mall development in South Africa.

Realcor Cape is confident that the mall will attract consistent local and tourist trade.

Grabouw is part of the scenic Elgin valley, which is famous for the production of fruit and wine.

The valley is also home to the pristine fynbos of the Kogelberg biosphere, which is part of the World Heritage Site Cape Floral Kingdom.

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