Limpopo’s first Makro will be developed by the Moolman Group from Polokwane.
Bringing new investment to Polokwane, the city is set to have its own massive Makro store, slated for opening in the latter half of 2011. This will be the very first Makro in Limpopo.
Makro Polokwane will be the 15th Makro store in South Africa and is being developed by Moolman Group - a leading national property company with its roots in Polokwane - for Makro on a triple-net lease.
Moolman Group, together with its partners, has previously constructed three other Makro stores in Silver Lakes, Wonderboom and most recently in Vanderbijlpark. The company is also a co-developer of the super-regional Mall of the North, set to open in Polokwane in April 2011.
The expansive 15,000sqm Makro is being developed on a superbly situated ready-zoned 6ha site, with excellent visibility and accessibility, located adjacent to the landmark Coca-Cola Polokwane on Marmer Street off the N1 highway near Polokwane International Airport.
Purpose-built to the exacting requirements of this prominent company, work on Makro Polokwane has already commenced with Hillary Construction starting bulk earthworks at the beginning of November. Edilcon has been appointed the main contractor and will begin construction work in early January.
“Makro Polokwane represents an important investment in the city from one of South Africa’s most prominent business groups. It is also a reflection of the attractiveness of the region’s growing economy and consumer market,” says Jannie Moolman of Moolman Group.
Makro’s entrance into Limpopo province should be no surprise considering the region’s consistent growth in excess of the national average and, with some 10% of this largely rural province’s residents concentrated in Polokwane, the city represents an ideal central point for businesses.
R&L Architects, which have completed a growing list of Makro stores across South Africa since the 1980s, are leading the design of the Polokwane Makro. In addition to the highest level of functionality and latest specifications for the store, energy efficiency and green building are a major focus of this development and operation beyond construction.
“Each new Makro store is more efficient than the last and Makro Polokwane has been specifically designed to use less water and electricity in its operations, produce fewer emissions and to incorporate an increasing number of natural elements, from natural light to indigenous plants,” says Doug Jones, Financial Director of Makro SA.
Together with Makro the developers are committed to ensuring that any negative impact on the environment is managed and minimised.
“The greening of the site is ensured with plenty of space allocated for the planting of indigenous trees,” says Pieter Lombaard, CEO of Moolman Group.
To ensure the highest efficiencies for Makro Polokwane’s ongoing operations, Jones explains that intelligent lighting management systems will be employed to operate the energy efficient lighting which maximises the use of natural light inflows, while at the same time minimising heat transfer. It will also employ efficient refrigeration solutions, utilising a CO2 and ammonia refrigeration plant instead of ozone-depleting refrigerant gasses.
“While this increases our installation costs, it is an investment in the environment and the gasses used are 100% natural with zero ozone-depleting and global warming potential,” says Jones.
In addition to the 850 parking bays which will be incorporated in the development, surrounding roads will also be upgraded to the benefit of the area, road users and Makro shoppers.
“This development has been warmly received in the city. We have received a positive response from the community, including the Executive Mayor of Polokwane,” notes Moolman. “We are confident that Makro Polokwane is going to become an important asset for the community of Polokwane and Limpopo province and will contribute to enhance the already growing local economy”.
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