The R155 million first phase of the new Sky City Mall, catering for the residents of Waterval, Palm Ridge and Kathlehong some 35km south east of Johannesburg in Gauteng’s Ekurhuleni Metro, is trading well since opening its doors to scores of shoppers on 18 April.
Sky City Mall brings 12,900m2 of quality shopping convenience to the local community including major anchor retail brands Shoprite and Cashbuild. Other big brands that have opened at the centre include Ackermans, Pep, OBC Chicken, Sleepmasters, Midas, Tekkie Town and Furniture King. In addition, there is more to come, with several major fast food brands set to open in June and July, including McDonalds and KFC drive thru outlets as well as Debonairs, Steers and King Pie.
With 60 shops, Sky City Mall’s tenant mix also includes various other retail and service offerings including a hair and beauty salon, dry cleaner, ATMs from major banks, gadget stores, an optician, pharmacy, stationary store and several locally-run fashion outlets.
Sky City Mall has been developed by GMI Property Group, which entrusted leading leasing and development specialists, Retail Network Services (RNS), to advise on the development. The first phase of the mall forms part of grander future plans to develop it into a regional mall. The mall anchors the broader R10 billion Sky City nodal development that will include a massive residential component of over 13,000 residential stands and more than 2000 high-density apartments.
Gavin Tagg, Chief Executive Officer of RNS, says: “The opening of Sky City Mall represents the exciting first phase of the bigger retail development and residential node at Sky City. We are pleased to be involved in this important catalytic development that not only brings quality shopping convenience to the local community, but jobs and represents a major investment in the area.”
He adds: “Sky City Mall is part of a mega development node. In addition to the planned new residential offerings and several new schools, the mall has an existing market of in excess of 182 000 people staying in some 45,000 households within its catchment area. Besides the more than 15,000 homes planned within the Sky City development itself, over the next seven years it is envisaged that there will be an additional 37,000 households in the area.”
The mall, which is in a prime location on a portion of former agricultural land in Waterval just south of Kathlehong, borders the intersection of the R500 Heidelberg Road, which serves as an automatic catchment of high traffic volumes. It also has easy access from the main arterial R59 feeding into the R550 which links the N3 national route and the K91 road.
“Sky City Mall’s biggest plus is its convenience factor, with it being located on the doorstep of a burgeoning area. Adding to shopper convenience is the fact that the mall offers 660 bays of free parking. The new eatery and fast-food outlets set to open at the centre over the next few months will boost its convenience factor. Enhancing the mall’s strong community focus, there is also space available for doctors and dentists as part of the mall’s medical and health service offering,” notes Tagg.
Gerald Dros, Director at GMI Property Group says: “It is great to mark the milestone opening of Sky City Mall, which represents the culmination of years of planning and working with various stakeholders to see it become a reality. Together with GMI, the expert team of professionals involved in the mall development include RNS, Rossouw Architects, DJJ Conradie Consulting Electrical Engineers and Proficient Engineering Civil and Structural Consultants along with SM Mare Quantity Surveyors. It has also been a pleasure working with a world-class company like Cosmopolitan Projects to see Sky City Mall become a reality and a key part of the overall Sky City development node.”
Tagg comments: “RNS is proud to work with GMI Property Group on yet another of its landmark shopping centre developments. Our motto at RNS is #GettingRetailRight at shopping centre developments we are a part of. As a trusted partner, we bring deep experience in retail leasing and well-established tenant relationships, to manage the concept development.”
While GMI Property Group have developed the Sky City Mall and have plans to expand it over time, Cosmopolitan Projects is responsible for the residential and schools’ component of the Sky City Precinct and plans to complete 13 242 residential stands, including high density apartments in the next few years.
The precinct includes Kliprivier Business Park, Twinsaver and Sedibeng Brewery and the spurt of development in the area will uplift the neighbouring communities such as Palm Ridge, bringing considerable growth including job creation and work opportunities. It is also close to the Natalspruit Inland Port.