Sandton City’s Protea Court launched in glitters

Dion Chang, Samuel Ogbu (CEO Liberty Properties), Sandton City Angel, Andrew Warren (Liberty Life)

Image gallery

Sandton City’s expansion was launched at a glittering event on Wednesday, 9 November 2011 in the centre’s new Protea Court, prior to its eagerly-awaited opening to shoppers on Thursday, 10 November 2011.

From Accessorize to Zara - and everything in between - Sandton City now brings shoppers even more of the globe’s most sought-after retail.

Already established as South Africa’s most desirable shopping destination, Sandton City has increased its total retail diversity to a dazzling 331 shops, with the introduction of 70 magnificent new retailers spectacularly showcased in a breathtaking extension, all in a fully revamped and refreshed stylish shopper-friendly setting.

The icon of African urban luxury and sophistication, Sandton City, has expanded and improved to enhance its leading position as the world-class, unrivalled shopping and rendezvous destination for millions of local and international visitors as well as leading global and South African retail brands.

“Sandton City now features an even more wide-ranging line-up of the crème de la crème of the retail world,” says Julie Hillary, General Manager Sandton Region at Liberty Properties. “It is set to tantalise and excite even Africa’s most brand and fashion conscious shoppers.”

Situated in Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city in the country’s wealthiest province, Sandton City is a super-regional shopping centre - one of the largest shopping centres in the Southern Hemisphere - conveniently located in the heart of South Africa’s affluent playground. It is the leading home of fashion brands in Africa, and is the first choice of Africa’s elite and fashion-forward for comprehensive shopping.

First opened in September 1973, and credited with being the catalyst for the growth of the surrounding business hub of Sandton Central, Sandton City and Africa’s business nucleus have grown in unison, and the shopping centre continues to evolve with its cosmopolitan location, global design trends, consumers and retailers – pioneering retail.

Over the years Sandton City has grown from 50,000sqm and 120 stores to now boasting impressive retail space of 143,955sqm with 331 retailers. The entire complex, which includes the adjoining hotel and office sections, now measures a massive 215,000sqm.

“Sandton City is one of the largest shopping centres in Africa. Its popularity, robust mix of local and international leading fashion brands and its successful trading record have made it a first choice for retail groups seeking to introduce unique new retail concepts to the cosmopolitan South African market, and a gateway to retail in Africa,” explains Hillary. “For our extension, a dynamic retail mix has been achieved which complements and enhances Sandton City’s established retailers.”

It is the synergy of international brands seamlessly combined with South Africa’s most popular shopping that creates an unmatched retail experience and has entrenched Sandton City as the pre-eminent shopping and lifestyle destination.

Hillary explains that: “An excellent fusion of international and local trends is achieved through tenant mix. The completion of this extension has amplified this to match, if not exceed, many of the finest international shopping experiences.” 

With all the glitz of world-class shopping, it is almost impossible to believe that anything else could steal the show. But it does.

Sandton City’s extension is set under a dramatic 24-metre high steel roof structure inspired by the South African national flower, the protea.

The crowning glory is an innovative African-first application of a new, two-micron-thick eco-friendly, 100%-recyclable, transparent material – tipped as the second lowest energy co-efficient material in the world - used to cover this towering roof, offering  full protection from the elements while welcoming light from both sun and moon alike.

The breathtaking roof of the Sandton City Protea isn’t the only ‘green’ ingredient to be added to Sandton City through this innovative project.

“Green principles were used at all stages, from donating material salvaged from demolition to worthy causes or recycling; to green building design and materials, energy efficiencies and even retrofitting the existing mall where viable,” says Hillary.

Carrying this feeling throughout Sandton City, the entire centre has undergone an exciting refurbishment with abundant natural light and modern finishes bringing it into the future of shopping. The new design combines international standards with contemporary architectural expressions which reflect our unique South African heritage, through the use of space, light, colour, form and materials.

While visually inspiring, the internal refurbishment of Sandton City serves more than an aesthetic function. It improves customer flow by connecting the entire mall, by means of a ‘loop’ – which will link Edgars and Woolworths, through the new Protea Court.

“The new extension has been effortlessly connected to the existing mall and created a new level of interconnectedness and ease navigating through the mall - a welcome improvement for shoppers,” notes Hillary.

In fact, Sandton City has become more connected in every way.

Its new entrance, pinpointed at Sandton’s ultimate position - the corner of Rivonia Road and Sandton Drive - creates a welcoming connection point for the increasing street-level interaction in the area, especially with the Gautrain Sandton Station being on the adjacent city block, which has enlarged Sandton City’s reach.

Reflecting the spirit and urban vibrancy of the node, a new open-air piazza will be positioned at this magnificent entrance, featuring bustling alfresco dining for the cafe society at ‘see-and-be-seen’ hotspots JB’s Corner and Doppio Zero.

Sandton City’s interconnectedness also streamlines movements between its upper and lower levels, access and vehicle flow has been improved and the complex will be further integrated by creating easier access with the Sandton Convention Centre, Nelson Mandela Square and the broader Sandton precinct. 

“In addition to offering shoppers eye-popping retail variety, Sandton City is also connecting with customers through its enhanced value-add customer services, which have also been refined as part of this initiative,” points out Hillary.

Modern, welcoming customer services desks, secure gift voucher kiosks, mother and child parking, customer-friendly signage, state-of-the-art security surveillance equipment, refurbished parking areas and an addition 1,000 parking bays continue the sophisticated and stylish shopping experience synonymous with the centre.  

A strong focus on security has also been identified as a goal of the refurbishment, with an all round improvement in security throughout the complex being achieved with the installation of state of the art surveillance equipment. 

“With its redevelopment, Sandton City has retained its position as the country’s premier retail and social destination while creating an enduring asset for South Africa and its owners,” says Hillary. “Importantly, it also achieves what customers have come to expect of Sandton City – the ultimate shopping variety and experience on the continent”.