Springs Mall is on the cards

The new Springs Mall, a regional mall off the Wit Road exit from the N17 will bring a huge boost the economy of Springs.

This mall that will open between March and May 2016 had been the dream of the D’Arigo family for decades.

It is situated north of the N17, between the highway and the house of Franco D’Arigo on the corner of Wit and Jan Smuts Roads.

The D’Arigos’ dad, Jack came to South Africa as a poor miner before he with hard work and dedication built a legacy for his five children, Franco, Springs businessman and his siblings Stefano, Giacomo (Jack), Giovanni and sister Carmela Lattanzi.

The D’Arigos’ company, Blue Crane Ecomall (Pty Ltd) that will develop Springs Mall partnered with Flanagan and Gerard Property Development and the Guiricich family to make the establishment of this shopping mecca a reality.

This mall will boost the Springs economy by an estimated R1,2-billion per month and retain between R300-million and R500-million per month in revenue to Springs which is currently being spent outside its borders.

Franco said at the announcement of this project at his house on Friday, that developing land in Springs and investing here as a way of thanking the town for being good to the family.

“This regional mall’s economic impact would extend well beyond the borders of Springs,” said Franco.
Stefano D’Arigo said the family had been in Springs for 40 to 50 years and they were planning to stay here for the next decacde.

One of the guests, Shadow Shabangu, ward councilor or Ward 76 requested the developers to use local labour.
Patrick Flanagan of Flanagan and Gerard said they would welcome local people to become part of the new mall.

He explained there would be a labour office close to the site where people could apply for work, as the construction phase would generate between 500 and 700 jobs and after it opened up to 2 000 sustainable jobs. They would also request the tenants of the mall to give preference to hiring local people.

Flanagan said during construction they would not only use local labour as much as possible, but would also seek for local suppliers.

He remarked that Springs had at this stage no icon. This mall would become that because it was putting the town on the map.

He explained the first phase, a R900-million development, would start soon. This will be establishing the 55 000 square metre mall on 12 ha ground along the N17, with the option of extending to the north at a later stage.

The two-level mall will be visible up to 5km on the N17 highway to attract customers from out of Springs.

It is also well positioned and easily accessible for shoppers from all the Springs suburbs. There would also be a taxi tank.
With between 120 and 130 shops the mall was designed to offer shoppers a wide and appealing choice of retail.

Amongst the shops already confirmed to open here were Diskem, Checkers, Pick n Pay, Woolworths as well as many big fashion stores.

The top level will house the fashion stores and the rest of the stores including banks and electronics would be on the lower part of the mall.

The mall, designed by MDS Architecture will convey elegant simplicity featuring natural light, while remaining enclosed from the elements with a vibey area in the middle.

It is designed to provide easy shopper access from both parkades through four entrances.

Flanagan also announced the mall will provide free open-air parking on both shopping levels.