Dwarsloop Mall set to dominate Bushbuckridge

Change comes in many forms. New Africa Developments’ construction of an A-grade, 35,000m2 regional mall in Dwarsloop (north-east Mpumalanga) will see 33,000* households comprising more than 100,000 people from the Dwarsloop community live closer to a contemporary shopping destination than ever before. With the first phase of some 25,000m2 scheduled to open in October of this year, a radical change to the region’s shopping patterns is imminent.

New Africa Developments’ CEO Japie van Niekerk passion for the project is infectious: “This development will drastically change the shopping behaviour of the Dwarsloop community and its surrounds. The market is severely underserviced, and this brand-new mall will fill the daily shopping needs of the bulk of the surrounding residents, for whom the closest alternative is more than 6km away and inconveniently situated atop a mountain.” Van Niekerk continues: “The perception that the mall will only be serviced by the neighbouring communities and not impact the broader region is grossly inaccurate, as the substantial Dwarsloop community of more than 100,000 people is presently serviced by the limited Bushbuckridge retail offering, and thus the Dwarsloop Mall will have a substantial impact on shopping behaviour throughout the region.”

Situated on the arterial R40 between Hazyview and Hoedspruit at the major Thulamahashe intersection, this green fields development is very prominent and has good access for the approximately 400,000* residents of Acornhoek, Dwarsloop and Bushbuckridge, in addition to a large percentage of Thulamahashe locals. Dwarsloop Mall will boast more than 50 stores, anchored by Shoprite & Spar together with a selection of national fashion retailers and restaurants. Committed tenants include Mr Price, Markham, Total Sports, Ackermans, Clicks, Sportscene, Roman’s Pizza, Debonairs, Exact, Cross Trainer and many more.

The much anticipated R40 ring-road has been budgeted for by the local government in the coming financial year, and by effectively bypassing Bushbuckridge will greatly reduce the notorious Bushbuckridge traffic congestion and stimulate tourism in the Lowveld. This will ensure Dwarsloop as the main thoroughfare between Hazyview and Acornhoek, further increasing visibility and shopper convenience.

Van Niekerk and his team continues to motivate the potential to prospective tenants as they fill up the last of the retail and services pockets available: “The household income for the Dwarsloop community far exceeds that of the Hazyview area. Indeed, such are the impressive LSM 5 – 10 demographics of the Dwarsloop catchment area, that the potential for fashion and large department stores has been determined by experts to be double that of Hazyview. The numbers are staggering and a drive to the area will blow away any preconceived notions of potential retailers…it’s definitely worthwhile making the trip. Our total investment into uplifting this community is expected to exceed R1billion, also taking into account the much anticipated Acornhoek Mall (due for completion in November 2018) which will eventually offer in excess of 45,000m2 of retail. The area has great development and retail potential.”

Other major investments are planned in and around Dwarsloop, making it the key development node in the region. The 560-bed Mabuleng provincial hospital and a brand-new SAB distribution facility, are just some of the major projects close to the mall, and are both already under construction.

Building anticipation in the community, the developer launched a logo competition in which locals took part in the excitement of the new development by choosing the mall’s eventual logo from four pre-developed brand marks. The winning logo has been announced and a full-scale launch program will soon commence.

Progress updates are available on the mall’s website ( www.dwarsloopmall.co.za ) and Facebook page, with aerial drone video footage, images, and newsworthy items published regularly.

*Research by Fernridge Consulting Pty Ltd / 2016 AfricaEye Data Pro

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