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Swakopmund, Namibia: construction of Bahnhof Square to start soon
The developers of the much-hyped Bahnhof Square Mall in Swakopmund say construction will start within two months and that all major retailers in town will move over to the new shopping complex.
Project Development Manager Niël Freislich, who is heading up the construction project on behalf of Eris Properties, said last week that “The lifting of the (railway) tracks commenced two weeks ago and the platform of the centre will commence as well within the next week.”
Locals have pointed out that there is no visible sign as yet of any progress or construction at the site of the existing railway and many are asking whether the Bahnhof Square project is a genuine proposition. In a written response to questions, Freislich assured that “actual” construction work will commence in April 2014, which will include the station buildings, as well as the (Bahnhof Square) centre development.” The developers have the required permission from the Council to commence with construction, he said.
“The buildings plans were submitted on Monday (11 February) and we await approval with-in the next two weeks. The Council gave us approval to commence with earthworks prior to plan approval. Therefore all is in place,” he said, adding that “Rezoning-wise everything is in place.” Asked whether setting up more retail outlets in the current economic climate would be a viable proposition, Freislich said “The current retail in Swakopmund is scattered around the CBD (Central Business District) area and parking is a major problem for customers. It is the (Bahnhof Square developers') intention to create a one-stop convenience facility for all retailers and customers with adequate parking facilities and a variation of products.
He claims that leading retailers in town “will not open “another” shop in the centre and will close their existing stores in the CBD and trade from the planned development.” He feels though that “The CBD of Swakopmund will still be vibrant due to the tourist attractions and other historical buildings situated within the CBD. The space will not be left open and some or other coffee shop or other similar tenant will occupy the space in the future.”
Once completed, the multi-year phased Bahnhof development is expected to accommodate around 1 000 residents, 2 000 office workers and thousands of daily shoppers. Core investment funding for the N$360 million shop-ping centre was said to be in place already last year, based on pre-leasing of 70% of the shops.
Billed as the largest shopping mall in the Erongo, it will have Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Henties Bay and the surrounding mines as its catchment area and is banking on the further development of new mines. The developers say it would create up to 600 jobs during the construction phase and 1 500 jobs once the centre opens.
Prominent local businessmen, Paulo Shipoke and Steven Skoppelitus of Stark Property Development CC were the initial backers of the project, which took shape after Shipoke approached Transnamib and Skoppelitus to jointly develop the Bahnhof Square and Lifestyle Centre near the new train station on a piece of “underutilised” land spread over two large plots, measuring well over 180 000 square metres. Bahnhof Square Developments entered into a joint venture with South-African-based construction company, Eris Property, which recently completed a major construction project in Tsumeb.
They intend to construct 400 apartments, a massive shopping centre, motor dealerships and upmarket offices. Construction of the shopping centre and railway station would be part of the first phase, followed by a Lifestyle Centre to the west. In 2012 Shipoke told the press the initial cost would be N$400 million and this could rise to N$1.2 billion by the time the project is finalised in 2017. The start of construction has however been postponed several times. Construction work was initially set to begin in mid-2012, but the developers announced last year that it would commence during October 2013 and would take 17 to 18 months to complete. It is now set to start in April.
Swakopmund, Namibia: construction of Bahnhof Square to start soon
The developers of the much-hyped Bahnhof Square Mall in Swakopmund say construction will start within two months and that all major retailers in town will move over to the new shopping complex.
Project Development Manager Niël Freislich, who is heading up the construction project on behalf of Eris Properties, said last week that “The lifting of the (railway) tracks commenced two weeks ago and the platform of the centre will commence as well within the next week.”
Locals have pointed out that there is no visible sign as yet of any progress or construction at the site of the existing railway and many are asking whether the Bahnhof Square project is a genuine proposition. In a written response to questions, Freislich assured that “actual” construction work will commence in April 2014, which will include the station buildings, as well as the (Bahnhof Square) centre development.” The developers have the required permission from the Council to commence with construction, he said.
“The buildings plans were submitted on Monday (11 February) and we await approval with-in the next two weeks. The Council gave us approval to commence with earthworks prior to plan approval. Therefore all is in place,” he said, adding that “Rezoning-wise everything is in place.” Asked whether setting up more retail outlets in the current economic climate would be a viable proposition, Freislich said “The current retail in Swakopmund is scattered around the CBD (Central Business District) area and parking is a major problem for customers. It is the (Bahnhof Square developers') intention to create a one-stop convenience facility for all retailers and customers with adequate parking facilities and a variation of products.
He claims that leading retailers in town “will not open “another” shop in the centre and will close their existing stores in the CBD and trade from the planned development.” He feels though that “The CBD of Swakopmund will still be vibrant due to the tourist attractions and other historical buildings situated within the CBD. The space will not be left open and some or other coffee shop or other similar tenant will occupy the space in the future.”
Once completed, the multi-year phased Bahnhof development is expected to accommodate around 1 000 residents, 2 000 office workers and thousands of daily shoppers. Core investment funding for the N$360 million shop-ping centre was said to be in place already last year, based on pre-leasing of 70% of the shops.
Billed as the largest shopping mall in the Erongo, it will have Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Henties Bay and the surrounding mines as its catchment area and is banking on the further development of new mines. The developers say it would create up to 600 jobs during the construction phase and 1 500 jobs once the centre opens.
Prominent local businessmen, Paulo Shipoke and Steven Skoppelitus of Stark Property Development CC were the initial backers of the project, which took shape after Shipoke approached Transnamib and Skoppelitus to jointly develop the Bahnhof Square and Lifestyle Centre near the new train station on a piece of “underutilised” land spread over two large plots, measuring well over 180 000 square metres. Bahnhof Square Developments entered into a joint venture with South-African-based construction company, Eris Property, which recently completed a major construction project in Tsumeb.
They intend to construct 400 apartments, a massive shopping centre, motor dealerships and upmarket offices. Construction of the shopping centre and railway station would be part of the first phase, followed by a Lifestyle Centre to the west. In 2012 Shipoke told the press the initial cost would be N$400 million and this could rise to N$1.2 billion by the time the project is finalised in 2017. The start of construction has however been postponed several times. Construction work was initially set to begin in mid-2012, but the developers announced last year that it would commence during October 2013 and would take 17 to 18 months to complete. It is now set to start in April.
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