Patrick Flanagan, Executive Director of Flanagan & Gerard, said that Ballito Junction is benefiting from enthusiastic retailer response to the landmark development. "Ballito Junction answers the growth of Ballito and the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast region. Ballito is one of the fastest growing urban nodes in South Africa. Its growth has been further driven by the location of the King Shaka International Airport nearby.
"Retailers are proving eager to gain access to this attractive, growing consumer market. The contemporary mall is designed to meet the modern retail and entertainment needs of its customers and, at the same time, provide them with a uniquely enjoyable experience."
Ballito Junction's shopping attractions will be led by anchor tenants Woolworths, Edgars and Game, which join existing anchors Pick n Pay and Dis-Chem. It will also feature an array of international brands to complement established national retailers, providing a wide range of choice.
The mall's 130-store shopping variety will also be punctuated by a selection of independent retailers, signifying the singular opportunity the centre presents for local entrepreneurs to retail their unique offerings.
When it comes to entertainment, Ballito Junction will have something for everyone and every occasion. It will feature a dedicated family entertainment level, with an eight-screen Nu Metro Cinema including Xtreme and VIP cinemas. The mall will serve up top restaurants and fast-food outlets in its food court, which will also offer relaxed al fresco dining with sea views. It will be a centre for all seasons.
Carl Jankowitz, Director of Menlyn Maine commented: "This significant investment in Ballito Junction is creating an asset for its community that will have knock-on positive impacts beyond providing social infrastructure by way of its leading retail and entertainment attractions. It is designed to delight locals and visitors alike, and will serve to boost the region and further entrench Ballito as a leading place to live and visit."
Besides being ideally positioned to serve the shopping and leisure needs of residents of Ballito and KwaDukuza, it will also be a significant retail asset for the entire greater iLembe District region including key towns such as Stanger.
Its location is supported by superb access, with its prime position at the entrance to Ballito from the N2 highway between Durban and Richards Bay, supported with generous parking facilities. It also benefits from a direct link to the M4 coastal road, connecting it to Umhlanga and Durban.
The massive expansion project is making excellent progress. Earthworks began at the start of 2015. The mall received its full Site Development Plan from KwaDukuza Municipality in March this year, with development rights that include expansion potential to 90,000m².
Main contractor WBHO has already significantly advanced the construction project, and is also creating jobs and is boosting skills as a direct result of building Ballito Junction. So far it has created more than 120 jobs for people from the local community, and this number is set to grow as the project hits its peak. When the centre opens, it will give the community another major economic injection, creating even more jobs as part of its ongoing trading.
The existing mall, which continues to trade with minimum disruption, will receive a full overhaul and its popular Pick n Pay will also enjoy an expansion.
