Agra’s management and the project team this week announced the extensive renovation of Auas Valley Shopping Mall in Windhoek. At the groundbreaking ceremony are, from the left: Mark Johnston (Broll Namibia); Neels du Toit (Ingplan); Johan van der Westhuizen (Bank Windhoek) Marco Wenk (Broll Namibia); Hennie Fourie (Bank Windhoek), Axel Dainat; Henning Tiemann (Agra), Ryno van der Merwe (Chairman: Agra Board of Directors), Dagmar Honsbein (Agra); Hardus Burger (Seelenbinder Consulting Engineers); Peter Kazmaier (Agra CEO); Gert Burger (Ingplan); Dawie Swanepoel (Quanticost); Abelene Boer (Agra) Michael Bastos and Flip de Bruyn (Agra).
The Auas Valley Shopping Centre is a retail gem but it remains rather secluded and exclusive. Its owner, Agra Ltd, intends to change that image. Earlier this week Agra announced a significant upgrading and extension of Auas Valley at a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of the project. Agra said this N$220-million development will offer a modern top-class retail environment, securing and expanding market share as an anticipated result of a new contemporary design that offers more choice and excitement. The Auas Valley Shopping Centre is located in Windhoek’s Southern Industrial Area, sharing the land with Agra’s headoffice and Windhoek branch. The centre is anchored by Pick ‘n Pay. The new retail mix will include a variety of shops such as Steers, Debonairs, Fish Away, Fresh & Wild, Pep Home (the first in Namibia), SA Electronics, Silverberry, A selection of gold and silver jewellery outlets, a Sushi restaurant, Classic Pet Boutique, and many more, besides the existing brands such as Pick n Pay, Nictus, Agra, Safari Den, a hair salons, a pharmacy and a very popular coffee shop. The new and improved mall will also house doctors’ rooms.
The development project comprises two phases, with the current phase 1 being the upgrade of the existing mall, including the construction of a new parking deck, upgrading of shop fronts, mall entrance and a new convenient customer flow for a greater shopping experience. The construction is envisaged to be completed by September 2014. The second phase will include a retail extension of another 10,000 square metres, boosting prime shopping area from the current 12,000 square metres to a total of 22,000 square metres. Until February 2014, construction will only affect the outside area, which will keep interruptions for shoppers and tenants minimal. From February 2014 internal mall construction will commence with the completion date set for 31 August 2014. The fuel station will be removed from October 2013 and replaced with a mobile fuel unit. An extended parking area will provide nearly 1,000 parking bays, ensuring swift and convenient access for shoppers, customers and tenants alike. The professional team for this project involves experienced retail professionals with a successful track record such as Axel Dainat Architects, SCE Consulting Engineers, Quanticost, Ingplan Consulting Engineers, Murray & Roberts, Broll Namibia and SIP Project Managers.
“This investment shows Agra’s commitment to investing in Namibia in a way that is beneficial to all Namibians”, said Agra CEO Peter Kazmaier.
Agra has 18 retail branches countrywide, a wholesale division (Auas Wholesalers), specialised arms, ammunition, outdoors and camping outlet (under the Safari Den brand), livestock services, and a Professional Services Division. The Auas Valley Shopping mall is the flagship property of the Agra property portfolio.
