The West Rand of Johannesburg has seen a number of changes over the last five years, not the least of which has been the construction of a slew of new apartment and townhouse complexes along the outskirts of major areas, as well as an initiative that has allowed for the areas entertainment complexes to be revitalized.
Three of these complexes, two existing and one brand new, have been under construction from early 2012, and the developments are all nearing completion at a fantastic rate.
Key West Shopping Centre in Krugersdorp has recently been part of upgrades by Aucacap Investments, who have allocated around R105 million to a three-part project at the mall. The Waterfront section of the Key West Shopping Centre will be upgraded and modernized, hosting a number of new family restaurants, activity areas for children and a brand new amphitheater for live events.
The waterfront area will also be accessible directly from the brand new ‘Entrance 7’, which, along with Entrance 4, will get elevators that will allow visitors to access the second floor. The mall itself will also be revamped, inside and out, with new signage, more rest facilities and a host of new retail tenants.
The developments are expected to be completed by the end of 2013.
Silverstar casino investors Tsogo Sun have allocated an estimated R480 million to construction and refurbishment at the relatively young casino complex. Expected to be completed by August 2014, Silverstar Casino will become an entertainment hub for the West Rand with six cinemas boasting the latest technology 3D screens, a 12-lane bowling alley and four new restaurants surrounding a central square that can also be used for outdoor events.
There will also be an outdoor screen in the central square with two restaurants inside the property, bringing the total number of restaurants to six. A beer garden, laser games, a refurbished casino and a large outdoor domed events arena as well as an upmarket indoor multipurpose events venue and additional parking will feature in the development. Most of the facilities will remain operational throughout the period, though many of them are also undergoing refurbishment behind the scenes.
The West Rand’s newest addition, Cradlestone Mall, is said to be on track with its construction, and has set an official opening date for October 24th, 2013. The mall, located ideally between the West Rand hub of entertainment that holds its sister malls like Clearwater and Silverstar Casino, and the World Heritage Site in the Cradle of Humankind. Cradlestone will be a testament to the evolutionary heritage of the area, and will show off the importance of the area in Human history.
It will host 240 retail stores, entertainment areas and restaurants, as well as a state of the art IMAX theatre, free Wi-Fi in the food court, fiber optics and a brand new tubing system that will make the handling of cash on the premises safer for all parties involved.
The mall is planned to have as low a carbon footprint as possible, in order to promote ‘green entertainment’ and to foster in a new way of conducting business.
Written by Wesley Geyer
Creative writer at ATKA SA
