Diepkloof Square is closer

DIEPKLOOF Square, the newest shopping centre to be built in Soweto, will offer convenience to residents when it opens in October.
CONSTRUCTION of the 16 108m2 upmarket Diepkloof Square shopping centre is under way, with more than 86 percent of retail space already filled.

Work will be complete by Work will be complete by OctoberWork started in November 2011 and is expected to end in October, ahead of the opening on 25 October. The centre is in the heart of Diepkloof, in Extension 3, on Immink Road.

The development is oriented towards upscale consumers, with a mix for those in the lower income bracket as well. When complete, it will have attractive landscaping, ample parking bays and a variety of entertainment, leisure and retail services.

It will be anchored by the supermarket chain, Pick n Pay, in a 3 112m2 store, and furniture shops like Ellerines, Bears, OK Furniture and Geen & Richards. There will also be fast food restaurants including Fish and Chips, McDonald’s, Steers, a butchery, KFC, Debonairs, and banking services from Old Mutual and Nedbank.

Food Lovers Market
Food Lovers Market will make its first entry into Soweto, and the centre will be complete with health and beauty shops, dry cleaners, King Pie, African Bank, Post Office and Post Bank and Cashbuild on the lower level. There is walkway across the development for easy access for pedestrians.

It will have two floors, with the top one featuring a view of the mine dumps, an icon of Joburg, and the southern edge of the suburb. There will be easy access to public transport and more than one entrance.

Video
Diepkloof Square is the latest shopping centre to be built in Soweto. National leasing manager at Retail Network Services Jonathan Tagg speaks about the shops that have shown interest in buying space in the new mall. Watch video.
Diepkloof Square is being developed by the McCormick Property Development and the Shanduka Group. The land lease was obtained from the Johannesburg Property Company. Retail Network Services is charged with leasing retail space.

Jonathan Tagg, the national leasing manager at Retail Network Services, says the convenience centre will cater for people of all income brackets. It is expected to be a convenient retail destination for residents, complementing Maponya and Jabulani malls.

The centre is near schools, a clinic, a taxi rank, a post office and a community hall. “There is nothing in this area from a retail point of view and it is a more affluent area of Soweto. So we want to provide the people of this suburb with a convenient shopping experience,” Tagg explains.

Popular retailers
The shopping mall is situated in te heart of DiepkloofThe shopping mall is situated in the heart of DiepkloofA host of other popular retailers have shown an interest in buying retail space. “It’s not fashion orientated; this is purely convenience.”

He says Boston Media Campus has approached the company for space for an office or potential campus within the centre. Tagg says there is a myriad of spinoffs for locals, with about 400 casual jobs to be created during construction and about 700 permanent jobs when the centre is operational.

The catchment areas include Diepkloof, Pennyville and Noodgesig with more than 100 000 households. “This is going to be bells and whistles in terms of offering.”

Because the area has a plethora of history, developers are looking into building a specialised themed restaurant, he adds. “Years ago apparently there was a beer hall close by. We want to bring that element where people can come and be entertained, but in a bit upmarket and trendy environment.”

Once operational, Tagg expects plenty of people to visit the centre. “It’s not elitist and has something for everybody … It will serve the community and it’s going to be a proper shopping centre on their doorstep and will appeal to the market in this area.

“It’s really across the board and I think the tenant mix reflects that. It’s convenience orientated, mostly people doing their daily shopping rather than monthly shopping,” he explains.