East Rand Galleria is set for major image shake-up

An evening artist’s impression of what the new entrance of East Rand Galleria in Boksburg will look like after it undergoes a R411 million upgrade and is to be renamed East Point.

SA Corporate Real Estate Fund, the owners of East Rand Galleria in Boksburg, said will spent R411 million in an attempt to revitalise the shopping centre which connects to East Rand Mall in the east side of Gauteng.

When complete, the multi-million rand upgrade is expected to create a 110,000sqm retail centre and will be renamed to become East Point.

The refurbishment will introduce a new array of luxury outlet shopping, new food court, a 1,300sqm gym, double its retail variety to around 120 stores, improve parking and access, create new levels of energy-efficiency and a substantial upgraded to Pick n Pay.

The ambitious 18-month project will essentially strip out the entire mall, and replace it with contemporary and new design.

Rory Mackey, Managing Director of SA Corporate, says, “our strategic investment will ensure that East Point remains attractive, competitive and relevant for the long term and continues to support our performance for investors.”

There will also be a full upgrade to the centre’s parking area to improve access and egress. The centre’s parking area includes its KFC Drive-Thru which will be entirely revamped and Burger King will open here in November 2014.

The centre’s reconfiguration and refurbishment project is also a phased project, with the first phase set to open in early 2015, which will include the newly configured mall area adjacent to Pick n Pay and the new Dis-Chem.

The second phase is planned for late 2015 with a link to Game and the third for early 2016 when the last reconfigured line shops and refurbished mall areas will be completed.
 
According to management, during this time, there will be some relocation of stores to temporary trading locations, but everything possible is being done to streamline this process to reduce disruption for shoppers.

The revamp is aimed to install energy-efficiency and chilled water air conditioning systems.

East Rand Mall is co-onwned by Vukile Property Fund and Redefine Properties.