WBHO Construction Cape is reporting good progress on a R263 million contract to build the Capegate regional retail centre, destined to be one of the five largest shopping centres in the Western Cape. The 55 000m2 centre forms part of the new R800 million Capegate central business district being developed in Brackenfell.
Located on the N1 highway between the Cape Metropole and the winelands beyond, the Capegate Retail Centre is expected to draw on a vast catchment area which includes the surrounding northern suburbs as well as outlying towns such as Paarl, Wellington and Worcester.

Construction commenced in August 2003 and follows completion by WBHO of the R41 million Capegate Lifestyle Centre and a R20 million Trade Centre.
Earthworks on the 12ha site was subcontracted to Monterama Plant Hire and included cut-to-fill of the surface one to two metre sand layer, which was underlaid by clay, and terracing of four platforms. Saturated soil conditions caused by a natural riverbed across the centre of the site, called for the installation of 320 piles, which was subcontracted to Frankipile. The contract also involves the construction of a ring road.

The T-shaped centre is being constructed with shops on two levels and features a clean contemporary design which includes the use of atriums with skylights. It will have three basement parking levels below the shops supplemented by ample on-grade parking providing easy access to entrances on both levels of the centre.
To meet the tight construction programme on this mammoth contract, an average of 3 000m² of deck has to be poured per week. At peak construction, WBHO and its subcontractors will have some 2 000 people on site.

The project is scheduled for completion by March 2005. Anchor tenants include Pick ‘n Pay, Checkers, Woolworths and Edgars.

The larger Capegate development covers a 60ha mixed-use site which is being developed by Capegate Properties as a business node to provide retailers, service organisations, professionals and businesses with a trading environment in which they will complement one another.