Moffett on Main Shopping Centre

Walmer, Port Elizabeth

The developer's vision for Moffett on Main Lifestyle Centre was to offer a new experience to shoppers in the Eastern Cape combining indoor mall shopping with sheltered outdoor activities in the same complex. The centre offers a total GLA of over 27000 m2 with a total of 1150 parking bays of which more than half are located in the double basement garages. Construction of the approximately 52,000m2 (GBA) building started towards the end of November 2006 and was completed 18 months later in May 2008.

The Moffet on Main Lifestyle Centre is a predominantly double-storey development of shops and offices nestled onto a sloping site.  The lineal development has been designed along a north/south axis, giving maximum exposure of its west elevation to the William Moffet Expressway, the main access road linking the N2 motorway with the Port Elizabeth Airport.  This ensures high visibility from passing vehicular traffic and public transport.

The main pedestrian approach is directly from level 0, which leads from the on-grade open parking area through double-volume wind lobbies of glass, steel and selected timber.  Pedestrian access to the mall leads through short mall vestibules into the main circulation spine of the building with the connections between main and feeder passages being celebrated with two impressive nine-meter wide skylights which flood the areas below with natural light, drawing the pedestrian into the core of the building.

The main feature of the centre is a well-proportioned courtyard space paved with sandstone tiles and partially roofed with a glazed steel roof structure supported by 3 tall steel masts which allows natural light and air to pour into this volume which acts as a large natural lung. The restaurants, coffee shops and eateries are located on the perimeter of the courtyard.

Clear rectilinear lines define the building as belonging to Modernity, while the use of natural materials and earthy tones gives it a sense of place within its Southern African context. The covered walkways wrapping around the perimeter of the western façade extend in places to form gathering places suitable for outdoor dining or pausing.

PROJECT LEAD: Paul Schmidt

The developer's vision for Moffett on Main Lifestyle Centre was to offer a new experience to shoppers in the Eastern Cape combining indoor mall shopping with sheltered outdoor activities in the same complex. The centre offers a total GLA of over 27000 m2 with a total of 1150 parking bays of which more than half are located in the double basement garages. Construction of the approximately 52,000m2 (GBA) building started towards the end of November 2006 and was completed 18 months later in May 2008.

The Moffet on Main Lifestyle Centre is a predominantly double-storey development of shops and offices nestled onto a sloping site.  The lineal development has been designed along a north/south axis, giving maximum exposure of its west elevation to the William Moffet Expressway, the main access road linking the N2 motorway with the Port Elizabeth Airport.  This ensures high visibility from passing vehicular traffic and public transport.

The main pedestrian approach is directly from level 0, which leads from the on-grade open parking area through double-volume wind lobbies of glass, steel and selected timber.  Pedestrian access to the mall leads through short mall vestibules into the main circulation spine of the building with the connections between main and feeder passages being celebrated with two impressive nine-meter wide skylights which flood the areas below with natural light, drawing the pedestrian into the core of the building.

The main feature of the centre is a well-proportioned courtyard space paved with sandstone tiles and partially roofed with a glazed steel roof structure supported by 3 tall steel masts which allows natural light and air to pour into this volume which acts as a large natural lung. The restaurants, coffee shops and eateries are located on the perimeter of the courtyard.

Clear rectilinear lines define the building as belonging to Modernity, while the use of natural materials and earthy tones gives it a sense of place within its Southern African context. The covered walkways wrapping around the perimeter of the western façade extend in places to form gathering places suitable for outdoor dining or pausing.

PROJECT LEAD: Paul Schmidt
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