The original centre opened over 40 years ago and in early 2008 was purchased by Flanagan & Gerard Property Development & Investment and Grapnel Property Group. The new owners secured the rights for the redevelopment, which took 14 months to complete on schedule.
"The main aesthetic vision for the centre was to create an elegant and modern location that would suit its surroundings and cater for the upmarket patrons in the area", noted Patrick Flanagan of Flanagan and Gerard Property Development and Investment. "We wanted to move away from the conventional shopping centre look. Various interior elements were taken into consideration, as well as the use and application of environmentally responsible practices where possible."
The new centre has a sculptural quality. "The inspiration style is about subtle sophistication and minimalism and incorporates a largely neutral colour palette and fluid lines to achieve an elegant building," noted Pierre Lahaye, partner at MDS Architecture.
A focal point of the centre's interior is the fresh and unconventional hanging light bouquet, which presides over the double volume atrium in the centre. The five-piece light installation was created by well-known Cape Town-based artist, Heath Nash, who specialises in turning waste into art.
Another unique art installation at the centre, gracing a large expanse of wall above Pick n Pay, was created by Lemon Décor owner's Ricky Frankental and Kevin Frankental. The design was created digitally, then printed onto fabric and displayed within an aluminium frame. This design allows for changing prints, giving the centre the opportunity to feature other works, thus creating an opportunity for subtle changes in mood and ambiance.
The use of charcoal bulkheads above each shop front, which house each store's signage in white, is designed to create a clean and uncluttered look, and the contrast of the white on the dark charcoal appears sophisticated and masculine. Various plants, which are mostly indigenous, have been carefully placed along key areas within the centre to create a synergy between organic and contemporary.
