WINDHOEKNAMENE HELMICH
In about a year's time, Windhoekers and visitors will be treated to a whole new retail experience when the biggest shopping centre in the country opens its doors on September 25, 2014.
With a mixture of international flair, job opportunities and shopping bliss, the new retail shopping centre called The Grove, is currently under construction in Kleine Kuppe and will be the biggest mall on the continent outside of South Africa.
Leasing director of Safland Property Namibia, Mirinda van der Merwe, told Namibian Sun that the shopping mall will boast over 140 shops, including high-end fashion and designer outlets that are new to Namibia.
“One of the most exciting things people are going to see is probably the food court, which will also be a first in a Namibian mall that is going to have several upmarket restaurants, as well as normal franchise eating establishments,” she said, adding that they are trying to give customers a variety of trendy and normal retail experiences.
She said the anchor tenants will be the normal retail franchises such as Game, Clicks, Checkers, Mr Price, Truworths, Woolworths, Foschini, Edgars and SuperSpar, among others. Homeware outlets, including @home and Mr Price Home will also be open for business at new mall.
Trendy Hair and beauty franchise establishments entering the Namibian market will also set up shop in the new shopping centre.
Another first-timer in Namibia that will be accommodated at The Grove is the well-known South African pharmacy chain, Dischem, which is known for its reasonable pricing.
The Grove, which will have three levels, will boast an upmarket Virgin Active health club and a cinema.
Meanwhile, it is believed that this centre will influence existing and future retail patterns - not only in its primary catchment area - but also in the greater region.
“A lot of research was done before we started with this development a few years ago and a retail study found that the demand for this service was very high, so we are confident that consumers will be very excited and happy when we open,” said van der Merwe.
Further investigation revealed that a great need exists within Windhoek and its environs for a more convenient regional centre that will offer greater shopping diversity and more entertainment, she said.
Asked if there have been any fallout from nearby residents due to construction, Van der Merwe said there had been some complaints recently about the dust from the excavation/earthworks, but added that they now have a wind metre that measures wind and dust and water is sprayed to “calm the dust”.
“We understand and we are trying to do what we can, but these things come with the nature of the development we are setting up and we hope the residents can just bear with us,” she said.
The Grove is Windhoek and Namibia's first regional mall that incorporates an open activity square and events arena.
The 53 000 square metre mall is situated next to the popular wholesaler, Trade Centre and the construction is valued at N$920 million.
Safland Property Services Namibia entered into a joint venture agreement with Demushuwa Property Developers to construct the retail shopping centre for Frontier Property Trust.
The site was selected due to a massive growth in residential development towards the south of Windhoek, with the initial objective of developing a convenience shopping centre.
It is believed that because of the mushrooming of the residential area, the suburb is currently completely underserviced in terms of retailers and other services.