Abland Opens Central Blue Retail Hub After Creating 200 Construction Jobs

Abland Opens Central Blue Retail Hub After Creating 200 Construction Jobs. Abland has opened Central Blue Shopping Centre in Blue Downs, Cape Town, adding an approximately 8,000m² retail development to the area and creating about 200 construction jobs during its development.

The fully let centre serves residents of Central Blue Estate and the surrounding Blue Downs community. It is anchored by Superspar and includes national retailers, specialist stores, essential services and food outlets.

Abland director Grant Silverman said the centre was planned as the retail heart of Central Blue Estate, which is expected to accommodate approximately 1,800 homes across its residential villages.

The centre has been positioned to provide access from within the estate while also serving customers travelling along adjoining main roads. Its layout connects with the estate’s parks and planned private school, while the site is also positioned for potential future MyCiTi bus-route extensions.

The tenant mix includes Clicks, Cashbuild, Capitec, Pep and OBC Better Butchery, alongside services and specialist retailers such as 24hr Laundry, Aux London Cell, Home Plus, Vintage Barber and House of Spices. Tops at Spar has also been confirmed as a tenant and will begin trading at a later date.

The food offering includes KFC, Hungry Lion, Fish Co and Jowa’s Coffee, with these outlets located around a restaurant pavilion designed as a focal point within the centre.

Construction was completed over 11 months, with local participation including general labour, wet trades, and the hire of plant and equipment.

Central Blue also incorporates solar photovoltaic panels, backup electricity and a backup water supply to support continued trading during service interruptions.

Silverman said understanding the needs of the community was central to determining the centre’s tenant mix and design.

The development follows Abland’s recent completion of Saxdowne Shopping Centre, approximately 5km away on Stellenbosch Arterial, and forms part of the company’s continuing retail development pipeline in the Western Cape.

The professional and delivery team included Boogertman & Partners as architects, CDP as main contractor and Broll for property management.