Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa January/February 2015 | Page 49
Brett. “This required cutting through the existing
structure and disrupting the parking flow, but
it was worthwhile to ensure that the previously
dark mall would be awash with natural light.”
The light colour palette reflected in porcelain
tiles with inlays form a neutral backdrop for
raised ceilings in the mall, including raised shop
front heights. The ceiling design was developed
to tier upwards and includes elegant curves to
emphasise the arc of the mall and maintain flow
around the bends.
“There are no dead ends, which gives great
exposure to all the tenants in Rosebankmall, as
shoppers are enticed to explore further along the
mall to take advantage of the full retail offering.
After all, this is why people enter a shopping
centre in the first place,” comments Pat.
Tenants
Trading throughout the construction period
was an imperative of the project, but this was
not without pain for shoppers, tenants and the
landlord alike. Stuttafords and Pick ‘n Pay, the
original anchors, were retained and Edgars was
introduced as an anchor tenant with a store
size of 6,000m2. Woolworths was relocated
from elsewhere in the precinct and its footprint
increased to 8,000m2. Dischem and Clicks also
increased the size of their stores. New stores
were introduced including a number of new
international brands which had not previously
opened stores in South Africa, such as TM
Lewin, River Island, Lipsy, Salsa and Celio.
Rosebankmall
Complexities
The Mall is made up of four levels, with a
significant level difference from the street level
at the highest point. The resultant design links
Sturdee Avenue, Baker Street and Cradock
Avenue across a fall of 12m and shoppers can
enter the shopping centre by