The long awaited Mall of the North in Polokwane is fast taking shape with construction progressing at a healthy pace.

The mall, which is being built on the crossing of the R81 or Giyani/Modjadjiskloof road and the N1 bypassing Polokwane, is a R1.2 billion investment by Resilient Property Income Fund, Flanagan & Gerard and Moolman Group of Polokwane and will boast 75 000m² shopping space.

^{Tenants of Mall of the North}

Mall of the North is set to open in the first quarter of 2011 with Pick n Pay and Checkers in excess of 5,000m² each, joined by Edgars, Woolworths and Game, Truworths Emporium of 3,000m² and a variety of 10 Foschini Group brands. Polokwane and Limpopo's biggest shopping mall will also house Ackermans, Mr Price, Dion Wired, Incredible Connection, Clicks and Dischem.

Banks will take up 4,000m² and a vibrant food court will be complemented by a variety of coffee shops at strategic positions through the Mall of the North which will serve Polokwane as well as the entire northern region of South Africa. Cross-border shopping from Zimbabwe and Botswana will further support the investment.

Mall of the North will offer parking for approximately 4,500 cars and will create between 1,500 and 2,000 permanent jobs as well as 300 temporary jobs.

It will keep some of the R300 million consumer spend that flows out of Polokwane every year, in the province and will give shoppers from Polokwane a bigger choice of shops and products.

Details of Mall of the North

Designed by the established, award winning South African based firm MDS Architecture, (http://www.mdsarch.co.za/) the main focus of the centre’s design was to contextualise the building in its environment and to give it a sense of place. 
“The most important aspect for us was to integrate the building into the landscape. Limpopo is characterised and known for its wildlife and bush atmosphere.  This was to be emphasised, rather than overshadowed by the centre,” says Pierre Lahaye of MDS Architecture.  “We drew inspiration from the surrounding forests and mountains, and have placed a strong emphasis on texture and colour.  We have also stressed the importance of being environmentally respectful, and have re-used as much as possible from the site.”

The double level centre is superbly located at the junction of the R81 and N1 bypass. The colour pallet for Mall of the North has its roots in earthy and neutral hues, with the architects exploring the blue-grey tones of the surrounding stone and mountain range.  This will allow for Mall of the North to blend seamlessly into the terrain and background. 

The external finishes of the centre will comprise dry packed natural stone.  The main focus will be on the use of texture, light and shadows. Accent lighting and concealed lighting, rather than floodlighting will create a warm and hospitable atmosphere.   

Visitors will be welcomed by a cliff face waterfall at the entrance, creating a sense of tranquility upon arrival. Natural vegetation will be incorporated, with trees used densely in the open parking area that surrounds the centre.  The aloes from the site will be replanted at the centre to fortify the tactile element. 

“We wanted to create the feeling of an oasis as you enter the centre.  Much thought has been put into the incorporation of as many senses as possible,” says Jannie Moolman of Moolman Group. (http://www.moolmangroup.co.za/) “The centre is quite a large building, and to break the scale of the building we introduced diagonal lines similar to how a tree grows.  We needed to make this hub visually appetising as it will be visited often; serving a catchment area that includes Botswana and possibly Zimbabwe.  The building is designed to create a sense of exploration and discovery as you walk around it.”

The contemporary use of glass and irregular patterns throughout the centre add interesting focal points to the interior of the mall. The use of skylights will ensure natural light reaches through to the lower levels and sliding doors will create permeable space within the centre.  The tiling used within the centre will carry through the theme of a natural setting, with the use of light and earthy colours. 

The restaurant area has been strategically placed within Mall of the North, and this has created a boma area that is protected against the prevailing easterly winds. Green elements within the centre include energy-saving lights and air-conditioning, solar geysers, and re-used waste from the site.  Rather than sending waste from the site to a landfill, the earth, stone and vegetation has been re-incorporated into the area as much as possible.  Other than the replanting of the aloe, natural crushed stone from the site has been used to create the gabions that will be found in and around the centre. 

The sustainability of the project has seen job creation, with the contractors using local labour.  Local materials will also be used in the building, supporting the community and the eco-system. 

“Mall of the North will be a prominent building in the area, and will be a reflection of the people and character of Polokwane.  The centre will go beyond the sphere of retail, offering its community endless possibilities and becoming an iconic fixture for the province" says Flanagan.

An artist's impression of the Mall of the North, Polokwane

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