KNIGHT Frank is targeting finalising the second phase of the refurbishment of the Bulawayo Centre shopping mall by March this year at an estimated cost of $10 million.
Gamma Mudarikiri Own Correspondent
Knight Frank managing partner Oswald Nyakunika told Southern Eye Business yesterday that the second phase of the project was expected to be completed in March with leasing of office space starting in April.
The refurbishment project entails redevelopment of Princes Business Suites, previously a block of flats, which would be linked to the original Bulawayo Centre shopping mall along Fort Street. Princess Court is adjacent to the shopping mall.
“We are still receiving applications from people interested in taking up the space and we expect to start the allocation of office space by April this year,” Nyakunika said.
He said there had been an overwhelming response as potential clients were competing to occupy the space in the new business premises.
The project started over a decade ago.
According to the company, this was aimed at providing a one-stop shopping centre for the city in a bid to change shopping patterns for Bulawayo shoppers who were used to driving from one shop to the other.
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The development was in three phases. The first phase took three years and was completed in 1997.
It comprised of 55 shops on two levels and business suites on three levels.
Thereafter, the company embarked on the second phase of the project which involved the refurbishment and redevelopment of Princess Court into several shops and business suites. It was initially supported to be finalised and ready for occupation by December last year.
The final and last phase is expected to start soon after the completion of the refurbishment of Princess Business Suites. The suites will be linked to the shopping mall by a flyover across 9th Avenue.
There will be escalators and panoramic lifts to assist circulation of shoppers through the whole centre. Twitter feedback @mudarikirig
