Springs Mall’s construction on point, despite challenges
Giuricich Bros confirms its construction of the innovative Springs Mall is on track for a March 2017 opening.
Bros Construction, a leading South African family-owned construction firm and the main contractor for the prestigious new Springs Mall at Blue Crane Eco Park, has confirmed the mall’s construction is progressing on schedule to open on Thursday, March 16.
The regional 48 000m² Springs Mall is its largest retail development so far as a main contractor.
Construction for the R950-million mall broke ground in 2015.
“We are proud to be part of developing the all-new Springs Mall.
Read: Here are the latest stores to open at the Springs Mall
“Not only is Giuricich Bros Construction the main contractor, but Murinda Investments, which is part of the Giuricich Bros Group, is an investor and a proud joint owner of the mall,” says director of Giuricich Bros Construction, Nicky Giuricich.
The group has played a key role in helping to unlock the Springs Mall development, which is the brainchild of the Springs-based D’Arrigo family.
Unique in many ways, this world-class regional mall development in Gauteng has demanded the highest level of construction skill and expertise from its contractor.
Springs Mall is a feat of engineering as its site is over dolomitic rock, which weathers and erodes when it touches water.
WATCH: Springs Mall – how it looks now
This presented some challenges for its construction.
Giuricich, who is also the site director, explains that Springs Mall is essentially being built on a concrete raft, with its ground floor comprising a cast slab instead of the normal surface bed.
Usually, drainage would be suspended under a building’s first floor, but with this slab, it isn’t possible.
Instead, an underground service tunnel running the length of the mall has been created as a drainage spine, with a dual containment system of pipes within pipes to ensure no leakage.
“This is extremely unusual and possibly even the first time it has been done for a shopping centre in South Africa,” says Giuricich.
He adds the mall’s ambitious construction is not only based on a solid foundation of world-class engineering in consultation with specialist dolomitic consultants, but is also in keeping with the latest leading international standards and deeply respectful of its sensitive site.
Set amid wetlands, Springs Mall’s design is inspired by its setting.
So too is its construction.
Both target creating an environmentally sensitive structure.
“Most of Springs Mall’s construction material and products have been sourced locally, within a 50km radius of the mall.
“The steel is local, so are the bricks and mortar.
“This ensures the local economy gets optimal benefit from the project and reduces the structure’s construction carbon footprint, wherever possible,” explains Giuricich.
