Africa-Press – South-Africa. The new Prince Buthelezi Mall is set to open on 30 April as a major 37,000 m2 retail development, bringing around 100 stores, new infrastructure upgrades and significant job creation to the Empangeni region near Richards Bay.
The Prince Buthelezi shopping mall is being developed by the Moolman Group in partnership with Twin City and Melta Capital.
The Moolman Group has a large property portfolio, which includes many noteworthy shopping centres, such as Mall of the North, Ferndale on Republic, Riverside Shopping Centre, and Village Mall.
Prince Buthelezi Mall is the result of an extensive development which has taken place over the past 15 months and the culmination of four years of planning.
During construction, more than 2,000 workers have been employed, with many additional jobs expected as retailers begin trading.
In addition to the mall itself, the developers are investing over R90 million into upgrading the surrounding infrastructure, including the bridge and roads leading to the centre.
Now, the shopping centre is finally nearing its 30 April opening day, a much-anticipated event on the Empangeni calendar.
The date was deliberately chosen at the start of a long weekend so visitors could take their time enjoying the new centre.
Live entertainment is planned, and many stores will offer opening specials, spot prizes, and lucky draws throughout the opening weekend.
Spanning approximately 37,000 m2, the mall will house approximately 100 stores, offering a wide selection across grocery, fashion, health, dining and everyday essentials.
Shoppers can look forward to trusted big brands such as Boxer, Checkers Fresh X, Checkers Liquor, Clicks, Dis-Chem, and Edgars.
It will also be home to a Foschini, Roots Butchery, Shoprite and Woolworths Food. Many of these stores are the first to open in the Empangeni and Richards Bay area.
Inside Prince Buthelezi Mall
The mall will have popular brands such as Bargain Books and UFO, Billabong, Burger King, Crazy Plastics, Mugg & Bean, Milky Lane, Mr Price Home, Panarottis, Polo, SENQU, Sorbet, Sportsmans Warehouse and Xpresso Café.
Speciality stores, including Boardriders, Kingsley Beverages, and Senza, will further enhance the tenant mix and give the retail mix a distinctive edge. The centre will also offer three drive-throughs: Burger King, Steers, and McDonald’s.
At the heart of the centre lies the food court, known as The Social Quarter. This space will feature abundant greenery, layered lighting and design elements such as a waterfall and beautiful giant palm trees.
Here, shoppers can enjoy food from popular outlets such as Debonairs, KFC, King Pie, McDonald’s, Panarottis, Nando’s, Pedros and Spur.
The Social Quarter space includes a dedicated children’s play area, a giant chess set, and workstations for those needing a place to catch up on work or study.
A seating area with charging pods has been set up, and free Wi-Fi will be available throughout the mall.
Prince Buthelezi Mall has been carefully planned to offer a seamless and comfortable experience from arrival to departure.
Clear layouts, ample parking and a strong focus on safety and accessibility will ensure that visitors can move through the space with ease.
To accommodate ease of access, there are two entrances on the R102, with quick access from the N2 and R102 off-ramps.
A taxi rank and public transport facilities have been provided. Additionally, unlike nearby centres, the modern bathrooms with luxury finishes are free for shoppers to use.
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