The fully-let Boardwalk Mall celebrated its grand opening today in the Boardwalk Precinct around the landmark Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World in Summerstrand, Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.
The 24,000sqm Boardwalk Mall is a major development by Flanagan & Gerard Group and Emfuleni Resorts, a subsidiary of Sun International (JSE: SUI). It is the result of the extension and upgrade of the Boardwalk Precinct, which brings an exciting array of world-class convenience and entertainment to Gqeberha.
The grand opening of this retail, lifestyle and entertainment powerhouse, with its unmatched beachfront location, convenient retail and services, fast foods and restaurants, entertainment and unique attractions, has created a vibrant new social and shopping heart for Gqeberha.
The breathtaking new Boardwalk Mall has been developed with a carefully curated tenant mix to serve its local community first and foremost, while having a wide appeal to a large cross-section of shoppers, holidaymakers and tourists. It features 92 stores and is anchored by the first Checkers, Woolworths Food and Dis-Chem stores in its area, complemented by a Pick n Pay and Clicks, plus the latest VIP cinema upgrades from NuMetro. It also includes the new 2,500sqm multi-functional open-air Sunpark events arena.
In his official address, Eastern Cape Premier, Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, welcomed the investment by Emfuleni Resorts and Flanagan & Gerard. “Boardwalk has always been one of the best-identified tourist facilities in Nelson Mandela Bay, and the development of Boardwalk Mall will now enhance its popularity.”
Paul Gerard, Managing Director of Flanagan & Gerard, commented at the official opening of Boardwalk Mall, “It is both an honour and a privilege to bring Boardwalk Mall to the people of Nelson Mandela Bay, right here in the iconic suburb of Summerstrand in Gqeberha. Thanks to Anthony Leeming of Sun International for inviting Flanagan & Gerard to partner with them on this unique development. This shopping experience is right up there with any other in South Africa! Not only has this development created jobs for the people of Gqeberha, but it has also brought a world-class shopping and entertainment node to the Eastern Cape.”
Anthony Leeming, CEO of Sun International, pointed out that the mall’s journey began eight years ago well before its development commenced. “We had a dream to redevelop the mall and were very fortunate to eventually find the right partners in Flanagan & Gerard. Sun International is invested in the Eastern Cape, committed to Gqeberha and proud to be partners in Boardwalk Mall – it is an amazing mall befitting the friendly city.”
Chairperson of Emfuleni Resorts, Bongi Siwisa, said, “From an Emfuleni Resorts perspective, since the start more than 20 years ago it has been wonderful to witness the evolution and revolution of this tourism gem. The Boardwalk Hotel & Casino and Boardwalk Mall will stand the test of time.”
Construction of the 24,000sqm single-level Boardwalk Mall began in May 2021. While 22 September 2022 marked the grand opening celebration of Boardwalk Mall, a third of its tenants opened in the first phase in March 2022 and have been patiently trading while waiting for the second phase to be completed.
The development process prioritised local employment and created more than 1,300 jobs during its construction phase. In addition, some 80% of work on site was completed by local subcontractors using local labour. The project also focused on having positive impacts on local education and art, as well as creating safe and welcoming connections for everyone who lives, works, plays and learns in its immediate surroundings.
Shoppers can step out onto the beautiful beachfront promenade of the Blue Flag Hobie Beach directly opposite the mall, which is adjacent to the 6,000m2 Boardwalk Casino and the 140-room, 5-star Boardwalk Hotel. The development has introduced pedestrian-friendly connections to the mall from Marine Drive, the hotel and casino and upgraded roads to ensure a safe stroll from the nearby school, university, guest houses and homes. The mall has 1,000-plus public parking bays, reserved parking for shoppers with special needs close to entrances and a dedicated taxi drop-off and pick-up zone.
MDS Architecture designed the spectacular Boardwalk Mall with its setting and the environment in mind. It integrates into the existing Boardwalk Precinct architecture and among its internal chic industrial elements of natural wood and concrete, you’ll find energy-efficient lighting, backup water solutions and reclaimed landscaping where trees were carefully removed and replanted.
The Boardwalk Mall launch celebrations were held in the new Sunpark events arena, with its big screen, fountain, restaurants spilling out onto the square, various coffee shops and casual dining experiences, and the Magic Company gaming arcade. The venue includes a landscaped children’s play area with the existing festival lawns area linking Boardwalk Mall and the events arena.
The official opening included competitions, prizes and live entertainment for the whole family. The choir and band from Pearson High School, a local school, performed live in the Sunpark arena. Marking World Rhino Day on 22 September, the mall hosted Wayne Bolton and his team from the 2,400km Forever Rhino Ride mountain bike journey from Windhoek, Namibia, to PE.
The excitement will continue long after opening day, with the new Sun Park offering an ongoing extravaganza of entertainment. Boks in the Park will be the first live event in the new Sunpark when the Springboks play Argentina on opening weekend, on 24 September 2022. In partnership with ZSports, the annual Ocean Racing Series events will take place on Hobie Beach from October 2022 through April 2023, and the Locally Yours Market will host the monthly “Under the Boardwalk” Homemade/Handmade market on the first Sunday of each month.
There is just as much to look forward to at Boardwalk Mall, which will host a celebration of every upcoming milestone, from Halloween to the festive season, with family events, spectacular decor and fun all round. In addition, popular South African household brands Doppio Zero and Pauls Ice Cream, the final tenants to join the Boardwalk Mall line-up, will both be bringing their first retail stores to the region in time for the holiday season. Paul’s Ice Cream will open at the end of November and Doppio Zero in early December.
There are already plenty of events on the cards for next year, from the 2023 Isuzu Ironman on Boardwalk Mall’s front doorstep to being a Fan Park for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, family entertainment and much, much more including the diverse events and conferences hosted by Sun International in the ICC throughout the year.
“The Boardwalk precinct is set to become a focal entertainment hub in the Bay and we are so excited to be part of this journey,” says Gerard.
