DESIGN> SPECIAL REPORT Randridge Mall

SPECIAL REPORT RANDRIDGE MALL

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RANDRIDGE MALL: FACE LIFT FOR COMMUNITY SHOPPING CENTRE

By Stacey Rowan

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Randridge Mall has been servicing the community for the last 27 years. Built in 1983 the center quickly became popular with the public as it fulfilled the a-z in shopping needs of the community by providing the perfect tenant mix, easy access and also loads of parking. As the neighborhood expanded, the amount of shoppers and their needs grew exponentially. It was therefore essential that Randridge Mall undergo an expansion and a facelift.

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Emira property fund, owners of Randridge Mall,

“With the regards to the construction of the new

situated on the corner of John Vorster and Kay-

extension, we used standard concrete, brick and

burne Avenue – Randpark Ridge, invested R126 mil-

mortar. We used a steel frame structure with brick

lion in this refurbishment project and with the help

and pre-cast panels, together with concrete col-

of Frans Farmer (architects) and Eris Property Man-

umns. On the exterior walls we used smooth and

agement the project was completed in September

scratch plaster, paired with a low sheen exterior

this year. “The client’s brief encompassed taking

paint.,” says Farmer.

the old tired centre and renewing it to bring it up to the standards of today’s trends and norms of shop-

The exterior shop fronts were heightened to allow

ping centres,” says Frans Farmer, principle architect

for increased light flow into the shops and for larg-

on the project, Frans Farmer Architects.

er display areas, and an 8.5 penetration proof glass was put in place for the exterior shop fronts. Apart

Jannie Smith with Frans Joubert and his team from

from making the stores more secure in terms of the

C-Pro arrived on site on in August 2009 and started

penetration proof glass, the shop fronts were also

breaking down walls, chipping out tiles and digging

aligned. On the main entrances, a strong use of

up the parking lot.

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glass was used to act as receptors of light, increas-

around the mall, introducing CCTV cameras for se-

ing the amount of illumination into the centre.

curity and building after-hours lockable via roller stutters on all the entrances, increasing security

When describing the main front entrances, Farmers

measures. All the lighting we changed to energy

continues: “… the entrance has a specific design

savers and installed sensors and timers which now

and style – a modern, vernacular style. It is modern

control all the lights in the parking areas.”

because of its straight lines, square blocks and strong use of glass and it is vernacular because the

Not forgetting the complete new look for the inte-

new style adjoins to the contemporary style of the

rior of the centre, the architects took to the task of

old building. We also built an additional mall en-

updating the appearance of the mall, and now

trance in front of Dischem.”

shoppers, once inside the new Randridge Mall, are greeted by renewed aesthetics for a revived shop-

Considering other aspects of the facelift, and ex-

ping experience.

tension, Farmer says: “The face lift entailed introducing a parking deck with paid parking, complet-

“The revival of the layout of the mall involved clean-

ing the fencing (which was incomplete at first)

ing out and redesigning the old part of the mall, together with designing the new extension from scratch. The heavy use of straight clear lines used for the design creates a flow, a continuation, throughout the mall. The interior now features high shine finishes, polished porcelain tiles and stainless

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steel trims, creating a contemporary and stylish

New Stores include: Pizza Perfect, Burger Perfect,

feel within the mall. This is also complimented by

Sharugh Persian Carpets, Absa Atm, Nedbank Atm,

the neutral and soft colour palette that was used

3@1 Postal Services, Spoil Yourself (Soap shop), SA

on the interior walls. Stainless steel plant holders

Post Office, Sheet Street, Foschini, Markham, @

and dustbins were used to give the mall character

Home, Crystal Direct, American Swiss, Total Sports,

and bright directional signage has been placed

Donna Claire, Rage Shoes, Kingsmead Shoes, N.

throughout the mall to help shoppers move and

Haque Curtaining and Fabrics, Kidz (Kiddies cloth-

navigate easily through it,” explains Farmer.

ing store), Khoki (Stationery), The Pool & Hardware Team , Petit Fours, Bright Rock, Beas Beautiful and

The revival also includes a number of Randridge

Lotus Home Collection. “By adding new shops, it

Mall’s current stores moving to different locations;

creates capital and therefore makes this project, as

many new stores and expansions of some of our

a whole, viable,” says Farmer.

Nationals tenants within the centre.

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Stores that have expanded include: Dischem, Woolworths, Truworths, FNB and Mr Price. Stores that have relocated within the mall include: Pep Store moved to Entrance 4; Cleaning Brother moved to Entrance 4; Family Pets, moved to Pick ‘n Pay entrance; Fine art and Frames moved to Pick ‘n Pay entrance; Crazy Store moved to Entrance 3; Exclusive Ties moved to Entrance 3; Mr Price moved to the old CNA; Hearing Centre moving opposite Dischem and Standard Bank ATM’s moved opposite Dischem. CNA and Jet moved out of the mall. With the introduction of new stores, Randridge mall now

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offers a more diverse selection of stores, catering

With all the changes that Randridge Mall has under-

for a broader range of shopping and services re-

gone, it still remains the local’s all-on-one family

quirements.

community centre, but now with more stores to choose from and an even easier and more conveni-

Every development is bound to have its challenges

ent shopping destination. Melissa Bower, Market-

and Randridge Mall was no exception to this, al-

ing Manager of the Centre, states that this recipe is

though the minor challenges were overcome suc-

“flop proof”. “Randridge Mall is one of the many

cessfully. “As the construction continued whilst the

refurbishments that we have done that came out

mall remained ‘live’, this was challenging. Another

the best,” concludes Farmer. <

challenge with this project was the fact that we lost parking space by building the extension in the front of the mall. The solution to this involved building the parking on top of the centre which now accounts for roof top parking.”

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