Richards Bay Centre Gets Facelift

Richards Bay's Boardwalk Shopping Centre is undergoing a major facelift and expansion that, upon completion, will make it the 11th largest shopping mall in South Africa.

It's good news for Zululand shoppers, who regularly travel to Durban for their monthly shopping, comments Elvin Venter, area manager for building contractor Grinaker-LTA, which is undertaking the contracts totalling R230 million for the Boardwalk's extension and upgrade. Grinaker-LTA Building is part of the JSE-listed Aveng Group.

Venter says the first two phases of this project - upgrading the existing shopping centre and the first part of the extensions - are currently on track for completion in November 2007. The remainder of the undertaking is due for completion at the end of April 2008.

"With an upmarket new look, 42 000m2 of extensions and an enticing list of tenants, Zululand shoppers are likely to shop at home."

Challenges for the contractor on this project include the removal of a section of the mall roof and replacement with a more aesthetically pleasing roof profile while exposing the operational malls to the unpredictable Zululand weather conditions, Venter adds.

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