Construction is under way on the R950-million Springs Mall at the Blue Crane Eco Park development, in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, which is expected to stimulate the local economy through job creation.

The 52 000 m2 regional shopping centre is scheduled to open before Easter in 2017 and its 120-store capacity is already 80% let.

The development is a joint venture between developers Blue-Crane Eco Mall, retail property developer and investor Flanagan & Gerard and construction company Giuricich Brothers’ Murinda Investments.

Flanagan & Gerard Property Development executive director Patrick Flanagan tells Engineering News that the company identified a commercial opportunity and a need for “a top-quality and dominant regional shopping centre destination” that catered for the needs of the Springs community and neighbouring areas.

“This landmark mall represents a major capital investment of almost R1-billion into Springs and will create jobs during construction and when it opens. Its variety of stores and status as a regional mall will help retain valuable shopping spend in the area. “The mall is an anchor development within the Blue Crane Eco Park commercial project,” he says.

The Blue Crane Eco Park development will also consist of a commercial development on 10 ha of surrounding land.

The mall will be located in the Casseldale suburb and its location at the intersection of the N17 highway and the R51/Wit road is easily accessible. It also has accessibility from the N17 and Wit and Jan Smuts roads.

Giuricich Brothers executive director Gerard Giuricich says a realignment of Jan Smuts road will form part of the earthworks contract.

“When Springs Mall opens in March 2017, it will have an eye-catching frontage on the N17 highway. Its striking visibility means people travelling on the N17 highway will be able to see the two-level mall from some distance away. The mall will also act as an interceptor on the N17 for people travelling to Mpumalanga and Swaziland,” he says.

Meanwhile, to help mitigate the impact of load-shedding and as part of several green features of the mall, the joint venture developers are investigating the installation of solar generated power, with the intention of using this, if viable, as a supplement to the municipal electricity supply.

“We are trying to employ as many environmentally sustainable measures as possible in the mall’s development. “The use of natural light is a key part of the mall’s design, as are other green building interventions,” explains Flanagan.

Springs Mall will also offer the convenience of free open-air parking on both its shopping levels, with easy shopper access from both parking areas through four entrances.