The renovation of the centre will improve on store variety with special emphasis placed on improving the aesthetics of the centre and new interior features. An additional parking deck will increase the number of parking bays and the introduction of the IdentiPark parking management system (claimed to be the first of its kind in KwaZulu-Natal) will alleviate parking congestion and assist shoppers by electronically directing them to vacant parking bays.
The IdentiPark system developed by Nortech International uses state-of-the-art technology which co-ordinates vehicle movement within the parking facility. Using real-time information on occupancy, drivers are directed to available parking spaces by intersection guidance displays and colour-coded LED lights - green for available, red for occupied, orange for reserved and blue for disabled - placed above every parking bay.
Automatically adjusting to ambient light conditions, the IdentiPark system effectively runs off a low power base, in line with the commitment by Old Mutual Investment Group Property Investments to reduce energy consumption across its managed properties.
The common areas in the office tower will receive a makeover. Retail areas that will receive attention include upgraded ablution facilities, with the inclusion of baby change room facilities, new lighting and flooring, to improve the ambience of the centre. A new entrance and mall will be created from the parking facilities into the ex-Stuttafords area, to improve access and convenience for shoppers into the centre, including the installation of additional escalators between levels.
A new food court area is also on the cards and it will be located on the third level near Spur.
Sivan Govender, KZN regional general manager at Old Mutual Investment Group Property Investments says, "The objective of this redevelopment is to enhance the existing tenant mix at Musgrave Centre and to re-entrench Musgrave as a premium shopping destination."
During the next 12 months, the existing tenant mix will be further enhanced with the introduction of Clicks, a gym and many more offerings for shoppers.
