Restaurant node opens with dining firsts

R400m mixed-use retail centre opens in Somerset West overlooking rehabilitated water body

THE DEVELOPERS behind Somerset West’s Waterstone Village have celebrated the opening of their R400-million mixed-use retail and convenience development, The Sanctuary.

Anchored on the corner of the R44 and De Beers Avenue, the three-storey building offers 8 000m² of retail space on the ground floor, with a further 8 000m² of optic fibre-connected office space and a Virgin Active gym on floors one and two.

Designed by SVA International Cape Town, The Sanctuary has the first formalised restaurant node for Somerset West, bringing with it popular Gauteng steakhouse franchise, Turn ‘n Tender – a first for the Western Cape. Residents will no longer need to drive to Stellenbosch to experience the popular Java and Craft restaurants, as these two brands are also set to open before the end of the year. Other eateries include Casa Bella and the newlook Cape Town Fish Market, Crème de Levain artisan bakery and patisserie, and Simply Greek – opening in January.

In addition to acclaim for several malls in its portfolio, Abacus recently scooped the top honours for its mixed-use retail development in Johannesburg, Dainfern Square, at the SA Council of Shopping Centres’ (SACSC) annual retail design and development awards. The mall won the category for new neighbourhood and convenience shopping centre smaller than 20 000m².

Abacus has also received acclaimed for Mooirivier Mall in Potchefstroom; Waterstone Village in Somerset West; Matlosana Mall in Klerksdorp; and Baywest Mall in Port Elizabeth. Among these are the SACSC National Retail Design and Development Award for superregional malls and shopping centres, as well as the Spectrum Award that celebrates retail excellence across all disciplines and sectors in SA.

Three-storey

allow restaurants to trade internally or externally, depending on the weather.

The rehabilitated water body serves as a stormwater retention facility. The developers have removed tons of polluted soil and implemented a water and landscaping maintenance programme to ensure the natural environment can propagate and provide a sanctuary for birdlife in the area. A built path that meanders around the edge allows birdwatchers access to all sides and includes rest areas and benches.

“There will be ongoing monitoring of fauna – specifically birds – in partnership with local stakeholders,” says Blows.

Abacus Asset Management leasing director Eradus van Antwerpen says the centre will primarily serve Somerset West, Strand and Gordon’s Bay residents.

“It is the first restaurant hub for Somerset West, and the centre offers extended trading hours and a safe trading environment along a high-traffic node,” says van Antwerpen.

“A key feature for business tenants at the centre is the high-speed connectivity and its convenient location just 20 minutes’ from Cape Town International Airport. As with all new Abacus developments, the shopping centre is fully networked with optic fibre. Vodacom will provide voice and data services to all retail and office tenants with speeds far in excess of what is available,” says Van Antwerpen.