le Joubert Property

CONVERSION OF ORIGINAL BAT FACTORY INTO A CONTEMPORARY SHOPPING MALL
The Rembrandt Tobacco Corporation established in 1948 by the late Dr Anton Rupert, obtained the land along the Berg River and a modern cigarette and tobacco manufacturing plant was established over the decades. This plant was ahead of its time and the first manufacturing machines of long filter cigarettes were installed at the Rembrandt Group factory in Paarl in 1952, making it the most state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in the world at that time. The plant has been relocated to Heidelberg in Gauteng.

The old British American Tobacco factory had been vacant for several years before developer Dawie Joubert bought the property at auction in 2011. Since then plans have been drawn up and the building altered to make way for a 42-shop shopping centre situated in busy Lady Grey Street.

Old Rembrandt will create a contemporary, vibrant one-stop retail experience, anchored by Pick n Pay. Altogether 42 shops are planned and focus will be on meeting the apparel and fashion needs of the community with stores that include Tekkie Town, Pep, Rebel Fashion, Trends and Shoeline. The centre will also have a food court to satisfy local appetites and offer a relaxed seating area.

SERVICES AND OUTCOME
Key Projects were appointed as Project Managers, Principal Agent and Tenant Coordinators.

The project was challenged by a low percentage of tenant commitment at the outset of design and construction. The impact led to a high volume of change requiring a robust change control system and cost control. A success of the project was balancing the strong relationships between the key players with a robust contractual basis.

Completed in March 2015.