Artist’s impression of the revamped Savannah Mall in Polokwane, which is due to open in October.
The landmark Savannah Mall in Polokwane, Limpopo – which was the single largest development in Polokwane at its launch 13 years ago – is undergoing a massive R350 million extension and renovation project.
The existing 22 000 m2 retail space will be bolstered by another significant 15 000 m2.
Scheduled to open at the end of October - in time for the festive season – this shopping centre which is strongly established and supported by local shoppers is owned by Pietersburg Property Development (Pty) Ltd and leased by Broll Retail. The principle architect for the project is Tjaart van der Walt of LVDW Architects Incorporated.
George Heyneke, senior asset manager at Pietersburg Property Development is confident that the new Savannah Mall will offer shoppers even more than at present.
In a first for Polokwane shoppers, Savannah Mall will have the city’s first Dis-Chem, says Lizelle Cloete, Broll Retail leasing executive.
Another two top retail outlets opening for the first time in Polokwane are Baby City and Toys R Us - the only store this retailer has in the Limpopo province. Standard Bank, Nedbank, Absa and FNB are represented in Savannah Mall and will all double in size. In addition, a new stand-alone KFC Drive Thru will provide convenience for the many shoppers and residents in and around the centre.
Savannah Mall’s expansion will also accommodate national fashion retailers that are expanding and adding new ranges including a Truworths Emporium, an expanded Foschini, a Markhams and a Donna Claire.
“A number of new local tenants opening in Polokwane for the first time have already committed their new space requirements,” says Cloete.
Broll has negotiated the leases for the Savannah Mall extension, and the firm’s other clients include Retail Africa, Pareto, Atterbury Property, Growthpoint Properties Limited, Sasol Pension Fund, Resilient Property Income Fund and Keystone Investments. Landmark properties under management across South Africa include Southgate Mall, Cresta Shopping Centre and Northgate Mall in Joburg, Mimosa Mall in Bloemfontein, and The Grove in Pretoria.
“The additional space being introduced at Savannah Mall offers retailers’ superb opportunities. We’ve had a good response from potential new tenants, and expect this will increase as the project nears completion,” says Lizelle Cloete.
Savannah Mall’s new extension includes a triple-volume centre court area, with access from the new roof parking, basement parking and other levels. Two new glass lifts and six new escalators will also link access for the three levels around the centre court and provide for optimal traffic flow.
Leon Jacobs, design architect from Leon Jacobs Architects for Savannah Mall says the centre will be brighter, with special light fittings used in the new extension and later being introduced across the entire building.
Tiles in the new section will be bolder, yet flow well with tiles used in the original building and these have been specifically selected for their semi-polished qualities, which work well in an area where excessive mine dust can create slippery surfaces. Also, walk-off carpeting at the access points to the mall provides an anti-dust action.
