Windhoek to get N$80 million new shopping centre

CONTRUCTION of a new shopping centre worth N$80 million has started in Windhoek’s Pionierspark Extension 1, close to Concordia College and the Windhoek International School. The complex to be called Westlane Shopping Centre is located at the corner of Scheppmann Street and David Hosea Meroro Road.

Jacko Koen, General Manager of Strategic Planning and Development at Jimmey Construction, the owners of the centre told The Namibian that the centre is a mixed-use development that includes retail and office space as well as a large number of attractive two-bedroom apartments.

“The retail area provides space for the anchor tenant and 16 line shops ranging from 14 to 250 square metres. The anchor tenant is Spar who will occupy a total area of 2400 square metres. The three adjacent office areas range from 100 to 110 square metres in size,” he said.

“Construction of the shopping centre will be completed by August 2014 allowing tenants to take beneficial occupation, the official opening will take place two months later,” he said.

Koen said his company is holding discussions with a multi-national bank and fast food franchises as well as a national mobile telecommunications company.

“Jimmey Construction have also made provision for a pharmacy, laundromat, postal services, hair salon and other complementing shops,” he said. “We are in the final stages of securing finance from a major financial institution,” he said.

Koen said the surrounding areas of Pionierspark Extension 1 and Rocky Crest have grown substantially over the last couple of years providing a large customer catchment area.

“The site is conveniently located at the corner of Scheppmann Street and David Hosea Meroro Road in high visibility location and easy access. We are focussing on convenience shopping and also found that the mixed-use nature of developments like this reveals a moderate level of inner synergy,” Koen said. Approximately 200 people will be employed on the project, he said.

“We are also at an advanced stage of completing an energy master plan for this development by which we could offer state of the art renewable energy solutions in line with our strategic 10-step planning methodology for sustainable development,” he said.

Other companies involved with the project are, Howard & Chamberlain Architects, Bührmann & Partners Consulting Engineers, Danie Nel Consulting Engineer, Emcon Consulting Engineers as well as Joseph & Snyman.

According to National Accounts released by the Namibia Statistics Agency this month, the construction sector is estimated to have recorded a growth in real value added of 12,5% in 2012 as compared to 19,3% recorded in 2011. The slower growth was mainly due to a decline of construction works carried out by the electricity and water and the mining sectors that recorded declines of 41% and 9,2%, respectively.

However, construction works carried out by general government and buildings completed recorded increases of 19,1% and 19,8% in 2012.