Opened in May 2013, the 19 239 square metre Hammarsdale Junction retail centre in Mpumalanga New Town Centre in Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal, is trading successfully and is 98 percent let, reports Rob Moran, KwaZulu-Natal regional director of JHI Properties who handle the letting and management of the centre.
Hammarsdale Junction is well-positioned in a prime location within Mpumalanga’s New Town Centre, particularly as further development is planned for the Hammarsdale area neighbouring the retail centre, he explains.
According to senior portfolio manager for JHI Properties, Rubecca Khan, the centre’s average footfall is 467 000 per month, with shoppers drawn from Hammarsdale as well as surrounding neighbourhoods such as Cato Ridge, Camperdown, Cliffdale, Inchanga, Sakontsha, Mophela and Ntshongweni.
Easily accessible from the MR385, this R194 million development is a joint venture between Eris Property Group (the developers) and Vukile Property Fund (owners of the centre), in conjunction with the Ingonyama Trust (the landowners), eThekwini Municipality and the National Treasury.
Hammarsdale Junction is a community centre which focuses on convenience and caters for all the customer’s shopping needs under one roof.
Anchored by Spar – who occupy 2 819 square metres and Pick n Pay – occupying 2 319 square metres, the centre houses other national tenants such as Jet, Pep, Mr Price, Exact, KFC, Debonairs, Fishaways, Joshua Doore, Russells, Barnetts, Lewis, Edgars Active, Vodacom, MTN, Total Sports, Markhams, Electric Express and several banks.
“This is a highly appealing, single-storey centre with a contemporary, relaxed ambience and world-class quality aesthetics,” says Khan.
It has attractive stone finished pillars on the exterior, wide interior walkways with abundant natural light through the mall areas and food court, and an air-conditioning system which is air-cooled - thereby eliminating water usage.
An interesting decor feature is a skylight with a leaf mobile. The centre has 570 free parking bays and an integrated taxi rank, she adds.