New economic trajectory spurs Bulawayo Centre completion plans

RENEWED optimism of the country’s economic recovery has spurred National Railways of Zimbabwe Contributory Pension Fund (NRZCPF) to consider completing one of Bulawayo Central Business District’s internationally acclaimed state-of-the-art major infrastructural projects, the Bulawayo Centre Shopping Mall.

Knight Frank managing partner Mr Oswald Nyakunika said construction of the third and final stage of the Bulawayo Centre Shopping Mall was still under consideration.

He said the new political dispensation and the change of policies being initiated by the new administration are likely to spur economic growth and promote investment.

“It (completion of the infrastructure) is still on the agenda and under consideration by the client (NRZCPF). The economy is opening up and we are very optimistic this is the right time to implement the project,” said Mr Nyakunika.

Knight Frank which manages the gigantic infrastructure would be the first to have a mezzanine similar to Joina City in Harare’s CBD. Work on the property started with the construction of Bulawayo Centre in 1994. The first phase was completed in 1997 and comprises 55 shops on two levels and business suites on three levels. The second phase involved the redevelopment of Princess Court adjacent to the Centre into shops and business suites and this was completed in 2013 at a cost of about $10 million after work on the building had started the previous year. The third and final phase with an initial estimated cost of $4 million, which was scheduled to start in 2016 entails turning the ground and mezzanine of a building (formerly a gym) next to the Princess Court into a mall, to be named Buyani Mall.

Mr Nyakunika said the third stage of the project has been redesigned in an effort to cut costs.

“We have had to redesign due to slight changes in the economic situation. The anchor tenant next door (Chicken Slice) is encroaching on the proposed area so there may be need to redesign so as to accommodate the two fast foods or anchor tenants in both premises.

“We prefer natural ventilation as much as possible and very little mechanical ventilation. The size of the shops should reflect the current trend which favours smaller shops. There is still more emphasis on linking the three phases and enhancing pedestrian circulation,” he said.

Mr Nyakunika said the purpose of the third was meant to increase pedestrian and shoppers flow as well as convenience in movement at the Centre.

“As you are aware the purpose of third phase is to increase shoppers or pedestrian flow at the Centre. We are very happy the cinemas are open. This was part of the scheme,” he said.