Boardwalk Mall blast-off
Construction to start on R500m development which will create thousands of jobs
The R500m Boardwalk Mall extension and upgrade project will create thousands of jobs and be a “game-changer” in the quest to reduce unemployment and boost local tourism.
As the first sods were turned on the project in Gqeberha yesterday, developers and invited dignitaries hailed the development as “the new market place of Nelson Mandela Bay” which would add a new dimension to the shopping experience.
Paul Gerard, managing director of the Flanagan & Gerard Group which is partnering with Emfuleni Resorts on the project, said the upgraded and extended mall would include retail, hospitality and service elements.
The mall will feature bigname stores and entertainment venues like Checkers and Checkers LiquorShop, Pick n Pay and Pick n Pay Liquor, Woolworths, Clicks, Dis-Chem and NuMetro.
It also features a second hotel in The Capital Hotel.
“There will be super-sexy cinemas and a Sun Square along the lines of Montecasino in Johannesburg — perfect for festivals, big screen sports and family fun,” Gerard said.
“It will be the new market place of Nelson Mandela Bay.”
Many shops have already closed at the Boardwalk Mall, paving the way for construction to start.
The developers have previously said the undertaking would create 3,500 jobs.
Of these, 2,000 would be during the construction phase and 1,500 would be permanent.
Gerard said they wanted to complete phase one on December 9 and have the project wrapped up by September 22 2022.
Speaking at the launch event at the Boardwalk Hotel, which was followed by the sod-turning ceremony, Eastern Cape economic development, environmental affairs & tourism MEC Mlungisi Mvoko said the jobs created would “give confidence to our people and will be of huge benefit to the families of those employed”.
“Critical to this development will be to ensure that the local small, medium and micro enterprises also get to benefit in the entire value chain.
“I am happy to hear that R290m of all goods and services on this development will be procured locally.”
Mvoko said the new mall would provide Bay residents and visitors with a variety of experiences.
“This wide scope will directly impact the tourism industry, which is one of our economic growth enablers in the province.
“There will be economic spin-offs from the gambling, leisure, hospitality and other sectors within the puzzle.”
He said he trusted the development would complement the Bay’s existing economic value chain sparked by projects in the Coega special economic zone and the recent relocation of Transnet headquarters to Ngqura.
“As provincial government and the municipality, we must strengthen our infrastructure delivery initiatives such as the provision of water and the surfacing of roads to support and complement all the investments that are coming into our shores.”
Bay mayor Nqaba Bhanga said the development dovetailed with the Bay’s vision for an integrated future for its residents.
“This development will take us forward because this mall will be a place all our people can sit together no matter their race, and define the future of our children,” he said.
“The Sun Square can be used to showcase the initiatives we are already pursuing in the fields of entertainment, fashion and boxing.”
Bhanga said the need for integration also underpinned why the metro had challenged the national government’s gazetting of Gqeberha as the new name for Port Elizabeth.
He pointed to the name change court case under way in Makhanda and noted that the metro would pursue its call for a more inclusive assessment process in court if it had to.
Responding to Bhanga’s name change comments, Mvoko said the consultation process had been inclusive and that the provincial government would defend the new name of Gqeberha in court if need be.
Gerard said two-thirds of the mall development site was transferred to the Flanagan & Gerard Group last month, with Emfuleni Resorts holding the remaining third.
At the same time, the plans for the Boardwalk Mall had received all the necessary approvals, clearing the way for construction.
“Building on the success and strong community roots of the landmark Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World, the Boardwalk Mall is an extension and upgrade of the Boardwalk precinct, which will more than double its retail space to 23,000m².
“It is the first phase of a 17ha redevelopment that is strategically, economically and socially significant for its city and region.”
He said the new Boardwalk Mall would not seek to compete with the metro’s existing big shopping centres.
“Rather this will be a onestop shop where people can do their basic shopping for groceries, clothes, hardware and things like school stationary.
“At the same time they can get their hair done, go to the doctor and meet their mates for coffee or a meal.”
Mandla Madwara, chair of Sun International BEE partner Zonwabise Resort Holdings and an Emfuleni director, said besides the job commitments, the developers had reached out to tourism training schools.
“The aim is we will bring in tourism students and fit them into facilities here and it will benefit us and them.”
He said the new mall was a sign of more good things to come for the Bay.
“This is going to be a catalyst for the long-awaited waterfront development at the [Gqeberha] harbour.”
Community Chest chief executive Selwyn Lewis said he hoped a youth learning facility could still be integrated into the mall.
“We are a blue collar, familyorientated city.
“If mum and dad can come and enjoy a meal while the youngsters can engage with technology or perhaps a presentation of the marine life in our bay, that would be great.”
Eastern Cape Gambling Board chief executive Mabutho Zwane said gambling had declined during Covid-19 due to health concerns and reduced disposable income.
“We believe the retail aspect offered with this development will benefit the existing Boardwalk Casino.”
Khati Mokhobo, a director of Sun International and Emfuleni, said the two hotels would complement each other.
“The Sun International Hotel will be geared around leisure while the Capital Hotel will cater to business guests.”