East London gets R316m Gillwell Taxi Retail Park

An artist perspective of Gillwell Taxi Retail Park in East London CBD.

The R316 million Gillwell Taxi Retail Park located in East London CBD, is set to be an important asset for shoppers of Eastern Cape’s Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.

The Centres will open to the public on Thursday, 12 November.

Developed for Dipula Income Fund by Isibonelo Property Services and Eris Property Group, the 22,260sqm three-level shopping centre brings together retail and public transport in seamless synergy under one roof.

Dipula CEO, Izak Petersen,says: “We are excited to welcome shoppers to the shopping centre. It creates a city centre shopping environment that has never before been experienced by retailers and shoppers in the East London CBD.”

According to the Owners, the centre increases the retail variety in East London and complements, rather than competes with, other shopping malls.

“The many people who work, live and commute in the city centre every day mean that Gillwell Taxi Rank Park already has an excellent trade market,” says Shadrack Mthethwa, CEO of Isibonelo Property Services.

The centre is within walking distance from all key metropolitan and regional government departments. It is also near to the local train station, buses and harbour. Plus the world renowned Mercedes Benz factory – the largest employer in East London – is close by.

The growing student population of nearby educational institutions including the University of Fort Hare, Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan University, Unisa and various schools and colleges, will also be catered.

When it opens, it will provide shopping with a solid mix of retailers specially selected to meet the needs of its market, says Barend de Loor of Eris Property Group.

Its anchor tenants include Game and Shoprite, with shopping delivered by many popular national retail brands, which make up three-quarters of the new centre’s stores. Its retail mix is defined by a strong fashion selection.

It will also offer convenient banking from Old Mutual, FNB, Hollard, Nedbank, Net1 Financial, Finbond and Capitec.

Besides adding important social infrastructure to the city, the centre will also have a positive impact on its surrounds, contributing to the vibrancy and renewal of the area.