Edgars celebrates 90, adding to revitalisation of Joburg CBD

Coinciding with Edcon’s 90th birthday, the multi-billion-rand Johanneburg CBD renewal project will see the property on the corner of Pritchard and Joubert Streets renovated by landlord SA Corporate Real Estate to become a new mall featuring a revamped Edgars.

As part of the urban renewal project, dozens of under-used buildings in the area are being made available to developers to construct affordable housing, educational and recreational facilities. The initiative is expected to halt the deterioration of the inner city, and act as a significant employment creator.

During construction of the new mall, the 55 Pritchard Street Edgars store will temporarily suspend trading for the duration of the construction, and be relaunched upon completion of the development. The Johannesburg CBD is where the story of Edcon began, 90 years ago: The first Edgars store was opened on 6 September 1929 in Joubert Street. Construction of the mall is expected to begin in March 2019, and to be completed by April 2020.

‘Next-generation’ store concept

The new Edgars will follow the brand’s “next-generation” store concept, focusing on enhanced visual merchandising with revised layout, positioning, and fixtures. This new concept is centred on the customer, aiming to provide an elevated, clearer and more focused shopping experience.

Edcon CEO Grant Pattison was enthusiastic both about the new mall and the inner-city rejuvenation project, saying: “We are 100% supportive of the inner-city redevelopment initiative. It is unequivocally good news for Johannesburg, for its residents, for Edgars and for future investment into the area.”

Said Mayor Herman Mashaba, who is leading the urban regeneration project: “Edcon’s history is intimately intertwined with that of the Johannesburg CBD, and I’m delighted that the Edcon team has agreed to remain involved with this revitalisation. Through this initiative, the inner-city will become a more thriving, mixed-use space. It’s exciting that the private sector is working closely with the city to redevelop the city’s precincts to create inclusive and diverse neighbourhoods, and to attract further investment and build stronger markets for their products and services.”

Source: bizcommunity.com