According to AfriSam News, A project of the magnitude and complexity of the Menlyn Park Reconfiguration Phase 2 comes once or twice in a lifetime.
Murray & Roberts Buildings operations director, Rui Santos, will hand over the project to Pareto at the end of November 2016 – one month ahead of the festive season when shoppers will be able to appreciate the extent of the makeover with its 175 000 m2 of gross leasable area.
Before Murray & Roberts Buildings arrived on site, the shopping centre had 118 000 m2 of gross leasable area, but the leading building contractor’s scope of works encompasses more than increasing floor space. An existing open parking area is also being converted to a three-level parking area and an open piazza, to be the size of Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, is being developed. The existing building is also receiving a complete makeover.
During first phase of this project, Murray & Roberts Buildings converted the original open-air events arena into a new double-level food and entertainment court, while the original food court was transformed into a new fashion mall.
One of the major challenges of the project is working on a live site in close proximity to the public. Demolition works have to be closely co-ordinated with various tenants. New outlets have been relocated to temporary areas so that trade can continue unhindered. Up to
10 000 m2 of temporary retail outlets had to be established to facilitate demolition works.
A bespoke readymix concrete, containing a 30% high fly ash content, is being supplied to the project by AfriSam. This readymix solution was specially formulated to satisfy the strength requirements and to provide enhanced durability to the structures.
