Important South African shopping mall gets big upgrade

The Mall of Mthatha in the Eastern Cape is undergoing a significant refurbishment, and developers expect the increased infrastructure spending to improve the city’s economy.

The mall, which was previously known as BT Ngebs City, is a regional shopping centre in the city’s central business district.

In April 2024, Flanagan & Gerard Property Group and Vukile Property Fund acquired the mall, marking the beginning of a new chapter.

In addition to the purchase price of R800 million, the new owners also invested R210 million into the mall to improve flow, design, and the tenant mix.

The mall’s vacancy rate has improved dramatically, declining from 18% to just 1.85%, highlighting strong demand for quality retail space in the region.

MDS Architecture is reimagining the 60,000 square meter shopping centre. Construction on the facelift is currently in progress and is expected to be finished by June 2025.

“Mall of Mthatha is a single-level shopping centre on top of a super basement and adjoins a hotel and a casino in the precinct,” said Pierre Lahaye, partner at MDS Architecture.

“It is well located and has the potential to become a new urban precinct for Mthatha. Every detail has been crafted to enhance the shopper journey.”

Extensive structural and civil engineering works are part of the project scope, and the developers have invested heavily in servicing and repair.

One of the new features of the redevelopment is the introduction of escalators that connect the basement car park to the retail level. The existing ablutions have already been rebuilt.

Moreover, the existing parking basement has a high underside of soffit level, enabling an additional retail GLA of 725 sqm via a new mezzanine level.

The new mezzanine allows for the added convenience of connecting the basement parking via escalators.

The existing car showroom area has been replaced with a new food offering of contemporary restaurants, strengthening the mall’s connection with the adjacent Casino and Mayfair Hotel.

MDS Architecture said the new owner-operated restaurants, with external covered seating areas complemented by lush landscaping, create an inviting ambience.

“This area has been designed as an urban square environment, offering entertainment options, and seamless connections to the hotel and casino,” said Paul Gerard, MD of Flanagan & Gerard.

“The buildings have been integrated into a cohesive precinct to create a vibrant destination in Mthatha where the community can relax, shop and enjoy quality entertainment.”

“We created a new look and feel, adding definition with bulkheads and using a new colour palette and paint techniques, as well as new lighting and soft interiors,” said Lahaye.

“Columns have been added, and the natural light in the shopping centre has been amplified. The promotional courts are now in line with high brand standards.”

The new ablutions will also better serve the needs of a 60,000 square meter shopping centre. The new facilities and upgraded toilets now have proper vanities, lighting, and high-quality finishes.

Mall of Mthatha growth

Despite a large portion of the Eastern Cape being rural, Mthatha has an established university -the Walter Sisulu University. The area also has a golf course and a high-rise office block. 

MDS Architecture said that investment in the Mall of Mthatha and increased infrastructure spending bode well for the city’s future.

“We envisage a new town square evolving at the Mall of Mthatha precinct to bring together the various aspects of this development,” it said.

“With extensive upgrades, the reimagined BT Ngebs City unlocks the mall’s potential, creating a more engaging, appealing, and convenient experience for everyone in a province with immense potential.”

The retail mix at Mall of Mthatha is also getting a boost, with new retailers focusing on essential goods.

Dis-Chem has recently joined other well-known retail brands at the mall, such as Woolworths, Pick n Pay, Checkers and now a new Shoprite.

Photos and renderings of the upgraded Mall of Mthatha