Gauteng Premier David Makhura on Wednesday opened the Menlyn Maine Central Square, in Pretoria, calling it a “very important development” for Gauteng.
Speaking at the launch of the 65 000 m2 R1.8-billion Central Square development, which forms part of the overall 315 000 m2 Menlyn Maine mixed-use precinct, the Premier said government had “great plans” for Pretoria, but that those plans could not take place unless government and business worked together.
Makhura also revealed that Central Square would benefit from the proposed expansion of the Gautrain rail system to Mamelodi.
Central Square is co-owned by joint investors Menlyn Maine Investment Holdings and the Government Employees Pension Fund, represented by the Public Investment Corporation.
The development is anchored by Woolworths Food, Pick n Pay, Superspar and the capital’s first Virgin Classic gym. Other tenants include the Bounce trampoline park and the Wellness Warehouse, as well as a number of restaurants, including Old Town Italy and Starbucks.
Besides the retail sector, Menlyn Maine will also be home to a residential quarter, offices, the Sun International Time Square casino, a park, a five-star hotel and an 8 000-seater multipurpose arena development.
Planning for the R10-billion precinct started about eight years ago, when developers bought 104 residential properties to assemble land.