Cape Town - 91 Koeberg Mall in Koeberg Road, Brooklyn, Cape Town, has opened its doors.
Betty Olla, the investor in the new development, which is worth more than R13 million, was responsible for the planning phase and will oversee the leasing and long-term management of the shopping centre. The property is owned by the Olla Family Trust.
The family regards the mall is a major urban renewal project that aims to strengthen the local Brooklyn economy by offering food, beauty, fashion, fragrances, internet, cell phone, music and other retail outlets, such as Lumiére Hair, Sound Select, Perfumes for Africa and French Confectionery Bakery that will complement the existing retail offerings on Koeberg Road.
The mall will serve approximately 3 732 households accommodating the 10 941 residents of Brooklyn.
Olla explains that, with many people returning to Brooklyn and surrounds, the previous commercial hub provided little for residents. For this reason, the mall will also include three ATMs with security guards.
Benefitting from direct connections to Cape Town and the surrounding areas via the My Citi bus service, the new shopping centre, which spans 1 217m², offers a secure shopping environment with 24 hour security.
The official opening of the mall on Thursday was officiated by the chair of the Brooklyn, Ysterplaat and Rugby Ratepayers’ Association (BYR RA) chair Rudi Wolter and Betty Olla.
According to Olla, the Olla Family Trust embarked on this investment because it will add value to Brooklyn and surrounds. She said that she is confident that 91 Koeberg Mall will not only contribute to the economic, social and cultural progress of Brooklyn, but also boost the importance of Brooklyn in the region by offering new job opportunities and upliftment of the area.
Wolter commended Olla for investing more than R13m in the Brooklyn area, to provide much needed community facilities.
“This is the first time in many decades that the private sector is investing in the retail segment of Brooklyn. It is, in fact, the single biggest investment ever," said Wolter.
“Due to the close proximity of Brooklyn, via the Koeberg Road Corridor, to the City of Cape Town, we hope that this goodwill investment will be the beginning of the urban renewal process."
Shops include Cell Circle, Lumiére Hair, Sound Select, Eagle Collections, Perfumes for Africa, R T Nature, Sweet Desire (for ice cream, sweets and biltong), Fish in Chicken, El Shaddai (an internet café), French Confectionery Bakery and three autobanks.