Diepkloof Square shopping centre opens doors to the Public

Soweto will enter a new era of convenient, quality retail when Diepkloof Square community shopping centre opens, fully let, on 29 November 2012.

The 16,108sqm community centre is anchored by Pick n Pay in a 3,112sqm store and features some 50 shops, including an exciting new 1,720sqm Food Lover’s Market.

“Diepkloof Square is a really exciting project,” says Food Lover’s Market Group Property and Business Development Manager Graeme Liebenberg. “Diepkloof holds a special place in the heart of many South Africans. It was one of the earliest communities in Soweto and many influential South Africans live, have lived or passed through this suburb.”

In the epicentre of affluent Soweto, Diepkloof Square is positioned in an exciting setting within a growing community. Diepkloof Square is in Diepkloof Extension 3, with excellent visibility and access from the main arterial road serving Diepkloof, Immink Road. It is near the N1 Highway.

Diepkloof Square will provide quality retail in a smart, modern setting – giving residents easy access to tailor-made convenience shopping.

“Diepkloof Square gives meticulous attention to top design, apt retailer mix and the daily shopping needs of one of the wealthiest township suburbs in the country,” says Jason McCormick, MD of developer McCormick Property Development.

Liebenberg echoes this ethos of exceptional shopping: “Like Diepkloof Square, we see tremendous opportunities for Food Lover’s Market in areas that haven’t previously experienced the ‘theatre’ we create.  It isn’t only what we offer our customers – a wide array of produce, groceries, meat, fish, and much more – but how we offer it to them. We are unique in that we tailor our retail offering to the customer in each different area. Our new Diepkloof Square store is no exception.”

Diepkloof Square is developed by McCormick Property Development, which pioneered retail development in South Africa’s emerging markets since 1983 with 49 completed developments to its name to date. For Diepkloof Square’s development, McCormick partnered with leading African black-owned and -managed investment holding company, Shanduka Group.

Leasing Diepkloof Square is Retail Network Services - a full-service specialist retail leasing company with successes like Pan Africa Shopping Centre in Alexandra, Protea Glen Shopping Centre in Soweto, Tsakane Mall in Springs and Jabulani Mall in Soweto to its name.

Highlighting its thoughtful design, McCormick points to Diepkloof Square’s covered food court as a vibrant space for the community. “Diepkloof Square is more than a shopping centre, it’s a town square – a place to meet and share a sense of community.”

Gavin Tagg of Retail Network Services says the concept of quality and community also reflects in Diepkloof Square’s retailer mix. “The shops and services at Diepkloof Square mirror its upmarket setting. Yet they still offer a large assortment of grocery and food stores to cater across income groups. Diepkloof Square features an array of leading retailers which appeal to everyday needs of this growing local market,” explains Tagg.

In an area previously underserviced by shopping, retailers have lined up to satisfy Diepkloof’s consumer needs. Besides Pick n Pay and Food Lover’s Market, its retail mix includes Ellerines, Beares, OK Furniture, JD Group, McDonalds, King Pie, Steers, Debonairs, KFC, Old Mutual, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Cashbuild, Roots, Vodacom, Pep, Modjo Hair, Randcon Paints and Diepkloof Medical Centre.

“Diepkloof Square shoppers can expect exceptional retail convenience and service all round,” says Liebenberg. “We believe Food Lover’s Market will raise the bar for the retail expectations of Diepkloof residents and add tremendous value to all customers and stakeholders. In whatever we do, we strive to be ‘Best in Brand’, and let our customer be the judge of this. After all, it is our customers who determine the success, and therefore sustainability, of the store.”

With its prime location, modern design, exciting retail mix, and unmatched local shopping experience, Diepkloof Square also offers generous parking and excellent access to public transport with an adjacent existing taxi rank.

“Diepkloof is a strong community with ample amenities which creates a vibrant node for its residents and, importantly, form a natural retail node. It is attracting an increasing number of middle-class and aspirant residents. Diepkloof Square is set to become the dominant retail node within the Diepkloof area and its surrounding suburbs,” explains Tagg.

When Diepkloof Square opens at the end of November, these residents and their neighbours will finally enjoy quality community shopping on their own doorstep.