The Villa mall, South Africa

Name and Location
The Villa mall, Gauteng, South Africa.

Project Description
This five-level 90 000-m² shopping centre project will be the first of its kind in South Africa, built on the premise of sustainability, with an emphasis on practical design solutions. Seventy-eight residential properties were bought and consolidated for the mall's site.

The flagship development, in Moreleta park, will house about 300 shops, a 6 000-m² luxury five-star hotel, a 30 000-m² retail centre and 10 000 m² of upmarket offices. It will be located within close proximity to the new and old money suburbs in Pretoria, as well as being within easy access to the arterial highways serving Pretoria (the N1 from Johannesburg and the R21 from OR Tambo International Airport). The mall will offer major national luxury-brand anchor tenants, the largest Ster Kinekor complex in South Africa, a middle-income fashion area and an upmarket luxury shopping area. There will be parking underground, on grade and on the roof. Provision has been made for about 5 400 parking bays. The parking areas will not need to be airconditioned, as they will have natural ventilation.

Value
The cost has not been disclosed.

Duration
Groundwork started towards the end of 2008. The opening of the mall was initially set for December 2010, but is now set for September 2011.

Client
Capicol.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
GD Iron Construction (main contractor), WF Kroon Projects (building contractor/developer), Civtek CC and Ducor Projects (civil engineering contractors), Franki Africa (geotechnical engineering contractor), Tibara (plumbing), Silverton (reinforcement supplies), Osglo Pretoria (mall design) and DSB Consulting Engineers (‘greening' of the buildings).

Latest Developments
Demolition work has been completed, as well as bulk earthworks and piling. The Villa mall will be closed to complete internal work.

In total, 4 500 columns and 12 pile caps have been constructed. Further, 2 080 m of retaining walls has been completed, 38 810 m² of surface beds has been constructed and 222 028 m² of concrete slabs has been used.

Ceiling work in the mall area has started, as well as hand railings, lift installations and shop front structural steel.

On Budget and on Time?
Structural work has been completed on schedule.

Contact Details for Project Information
Capicol, tel +27 12 808 3726/28/33, fax +27 12 808 3744 or
email info@capicol.com.
DSB Consulting Engineers, tel +27 11 888 4639, fax +27 11 782 2928 or email dsb@dsbc.co.za.
Franki Africa, tel +27 11 531 2700, fax +27 11 887-0475 or
email info@franki.co.za.
GD Iron Construction, tel +27 12 804 6755 or email info@gdiron.co.za.
Silverton, tel +27 12 803 8842/45/7975, fax +27 12 803 7998 or
email info@reinforcingsteel.co.za.
WF Kroon Projects, tel +27 12 361 7675.