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 Pan Africa Taxi & Retail Development

 

Existing structures at the old bus terminus in Pan Africa were demolished and a detailed planning framework for the land developed. The property, known as "Putcoland", was released to the market for commercial development under the name: Pan Africa Taxi & Retail Development.

This  comprehensive retail and taxi node includes a taxi rank for local as well as long distance commuters,  a three-level holding facility for taxis, public parking and structured informal trading.

The 16 000m² shopping centre is anchored by a 2 800m2 Pick n Pay, the first in Alex. Other national retailers have also taken space, providing a quality shopping environment structured along the lines of leading shopping centres in the country.

Please note: This page has a large number of photos and will take a while to load.

 

Before Jan 2003:
Putcoland was illegally occupied and used for a range of residential and retail purposes.
 
     
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Old Putco offices with Sandton in background  

Old Putco offices invaded for residential use
2003 - 2004:
Informal shacks have been relocated to a portion of the site. Retailers have been asked to relocate temporarily and will be offered premises in the new development.
             
     

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Demolishing old buildings   Cleared land        
     

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2005:

        

 
     

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All old buildings demolished   A temporary taxi rank now situated on a portion of cleared land

2006:

        

June: Construction begins on the new taxi rank and retail centre...
 
     

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August:

Construction is halted due to the inability to access compactors!
 
       

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2007:

        

February: The project is firmly back on track...
 
     

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March:

 
     

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May:

 
     

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August:

 
     

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Excavation and leveling of the site was more complicated than originally anticipated. For example, older structures and tankers were discovered underneath the slabs of the existing buildings once they were demolished.
 
     

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November: An overview of the site shows the rapid progress in just 2 months...
 

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2008:

        

January..
 
     

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February..
 
     

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Aerial photos courtesy: BJ Engelbrecht

July..

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October...

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2009:

        

March. The project nears completion...
 
     

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May. The project is completed and the shopping centre officially opened on 24 May 2009 by South Africa's newly elected president, Jacob Zuma.
For photos of the opening of the Pan Africa Shopping Centre, please click here.
For photos of the opening of the Alexandra Pick 'n Pay, please click here.

     

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Main entrance to shopping centre   The "Dream Team",
Darlene Louw (ARP) & Tobogo Mogashoa
(Pan Africa Shopping Centre (Pty) Ltd) 		  Side entrance to shopping centre    
 
     

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June. The taxi rank is fully operational.
     

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Long distance taxi rank   The three-level holding facility is on the left,
the shopping centre and taxi rank on the right		   Holding facility   Local taxi rank

 

 

           

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