Wernhill Park unveils first section of its Phase 4 revamp

By Musa Zimunya

WINDHOEK, 17 MAY – The N$450 million plus Wernhil Park Phase 4 is taking shape, with the first of two sections exhibited for the media earlier today.

The construction is expected to conclude by mid-2019, according to Managing Director of Broll Namibia, Marco Wenk, and this will ensure that the central-placed mall expands to offer approximately 55 000 square metres of prime retail.

The expansion will firmly establish it within the league of malls located in Windhoek’s ever expanding retail landscape.

In an update tour earlier today, Broll Namibia – a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group – hosted the Mayor of the City of Windhoek, Muesee Kazapua, members of Council of the City of Windhoek, City of Windhoek Strategic Executives and other stakeholders for a site tour of the nearly completed first section of Phase 4 to provide an update on the remainder of the development.

Broll Namibia has spent at least N$160 million on the construction of Wernhil Park Phase 4, and according to Wenk, Section 1 will host at least 9 new shops including: Dis-Chem; Soda Bloc; Exact; Due South; Markham; Sportscene; Donna; Fabiani, and @Home.

Section 1 will host at least 9 new shops with N$160 million so far spent on the construction of Wernhil Park Phase 4.

Wenk expressed his happiness so far with the progress of the development team, while also thanking stakeholders.

“We are excited to present our valued shoppers and tenants with the first section of Phase 4 when trade commences on the 1st of June 2018. Our tenants and shoppers’ continued support and patience during the construction period is sincerely appreciated, and we can assure you that the unfortunate inconvenience that comes with a development of this magnitude will be worth it in the end,” said Wenk.

Mayor of the City of Windhoek, Muesee Kazapua (left) and Managing Director of SIP Project Managers (Namibia) – Project Manager of Wernhil Park Phase 4, Jacky Jacobs having a chat during the introduction of section 1 of Phase 4 to be opened for trade on 1 June 2018.

The first section of the new phase involved the conversion of the upper parking deck located on the southern side of Wernhil Park  into prime retail shops, and Broll Namibia’s Public Relations & Marketing Manager, Sylvia Rusch said section two will entail the bulk of the development.

That entails parking and an additional taxi rank facility where previously Cashbuild and Fruit & Veg stood, as well as a bridge over Fidel Castro Street, that will connect both sections.

Rusch said that the extension is meant to enhance the shoppers experience.

“The extension to Wernhil Park will enhance the overall shopping experience on offer by not only providing more space, thus reducing congestion within the mall, but it will further ensure that the Centre’s variety and choice from a retailer mix perspective, and convenience in terms of parking, will be significantly improved for the CBD shopper.

“In addition to this, a second taxi rank (public transport facility), a fully-fledged medical facility and overall easier pedestrian access into the mall from particularly the southern part of the Centre will add to the convenience factor of the future Wernhil Park.”

Mayor of the City of Windhoek, Muesee Kazapua (left); Broll Namibia Managing Director, Marco Wenk (centre), and Managing Director of SIP Project Managers (Namibia) – Project Manager of Wernhil Park Phase 4, Jacky Jacobs looking on to the construction of the rest of Wernhil Park Phase 4.

Kazapua, during the walk-through of section 1, expressed his appreciation for the investment into the Central Business District (CBD).

“I am impressed with what I see and have to commend the project team and Broll Namibia for meeting the initial development timeline.. This is certainly a great contribution to the initiatives supported by the City of Windhoek to further improve and add to Windhoek’s CBD, which has over the years been impacted by decentralization.”

F.L.T.R – O&L Group Director, Gunther Hanke; Broll Namibia Managing Director, Marco Wenk; Managing Director of SIP Project Managers (Namibia) – Project Manager of Wernhil Park Phase 4, Jacky Jacobs; Mayor of the City of Windhoek, Muesee Kazapua; O&L Group Director: Corporate Affairs, Gideon Shilongo, and O&L Group Manager: Corporate Relations, Patricia Hoeksema.

On his part, Managing Director of SIP Project Managers (Namibia), and Project Manager of Wernhil Park Phase 4, Jacky Jacobs said that the official site handover to the main contractor, Namibia Construction took place on the 3rd of July 2017.

“A mere eleven months later, the 1st section of the development will be ready for trade. Although this is an extremely challenging project, progress on the balance of the development is going well and we look forward to meeting the completion deadline of the whole development by 1 June 2019.”

Wernhil Park first opened its doors twenty-eight (28) years ago,and several stages of growth and development have been undertaken, this being the latest.

The entire new phase of Wernhil Park is expected to be complete by June 2019, while the first section however, is scheduled to commence trade by 1 June 2018. – musa@namibiadailynews.info