Boardwalk Mall in Summerstrand, Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, - recently won the refurbishment/expansion category of the SACSC Retail Design & Development Awards (RDDA) 2023.
A major development by Flanagan & Gerard Group and Emfuleni Resorts, a subsidiary of Sun International, Boardwalk Mall is the extension and upgrade of the Boardwalk Precinct. It was designed by MDS Architecture. Since opening in September 2022, the mall has introduced an exciting array of world-class convenience and entertainment to Gqeberha and is a retail, lifestyle and entertainment powerhouse.
The SACSC RDDA Award judges noted that the degree of difficulty in achieving such a successful transformation of this centre was the key differentiator. They remarked that the success of the design created a comprehensive retail mix and a world class shopping destination. The Judges also pointed out that modern, bright flexible spaces have brought Boardwalk Mall into the 21st century.
The breathtaking new Boardwalk Mall was developed with a carefully curated retail mix to serve its local community first and foremost while having a wide appeal to a large cross-section of shoppers, holiday-makers and tourists. It features 92 stores and is anchored by the first Checkers FreshX, Woolworths Food and Dis-Chem stores in its area, complemented by a Pick n Pay and Clicks, plus the latest VIP cinema upgrades from NuMetro. It also includes the multi-functional open-air Sun Park events arena which has played host to some really outstanding events, including the Red Bull Dance Your Style, Inner City Enduro, Axxess Fan Park - screening various live rugby matches for over 1000 guests at a time and will be imminently hosting the largest Cross Fit Competition – Fittest in PE – in the region, for both local, national and African Cross Fit Champions.
Paul Gerard, MD of Flanagan & Gerard, comments, “The re-development of Boardwalk Mall has established a high-quality retail and leisure hub in the Eastern Cape. We are proud to have partnered with Sun International for the development and thankful for the exceptional professional team that supported us throughout the project, especially our long-standing partner MDS Architecture, which once again delivered a superb design. With this development, the Boardwalk Precinct has transformed into a leading entertainment centre offering top-notch shopping experiences with an unmatched beachfront location. It has created a vibrant new social and shopping heart for Gqeberha.”
Pierre Lahaye, Partner at MDS Architecture, says, “Our design is cognizant of integrating into the existing architecture and creating a streetscape that has developed over time. There are several pedestrian access points to the building and to the rest of the new offerings which serve to integrate the precinct into the urban landscape. It is quite something to be able to step out onto the beautiful beachfront promenade directly from the shopping centre.”
The SACSC RDDA Awards are a celebration of shopping centre design excellence and recognise extraordinary shopping centre design together with its economic success. They acknowledge and reward industry leaders in the design and development of retail centres.
/ends
Issued by:
Flanagan & Gerard Property Development & Investment
Paul Gerard, Managing Director
Tel: 020 590 4867
For more information kindly contact Anne Lovell on 083 651 7777 or Anne@marketingconcepts.co.za.
