[imagesource: Sabine Lubenow / LOOK-foto / Getty Images]

It seems like something is always being built in the V&A Waterfront, but at least we can now see the fruits of 10 months’ renovations.

Yesterday, the V&A Waterfront opened up its R180 million extension to the Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, with no expenses spared in making the extra 4 000 square metres of retail space look suitably swanky.

There’s also a new lower 3rd floor in the shopping centre recently named the greenest in the country, reports Business Insider SA

The renovations include adding a third lower level and a parking entrance to its now 88,647 m2 complex that houses over 450 retail outlets, 80 eateries, 5 undercover parking garages and 4 open parking areas…

Tenants will be expected to comply with the shopping centre’s Green Lease that tracks a tenant’s energy and water consumption, and also incentivises recycling.

Google Maps / Jay Caboz

A second phase, still under construction, is to extend Woolworths over three levels. The new lower level floor will feature their food section which will be more than double the amount of floor space previously dedicated to it. Internal fittings are expected to be complete by November, just in time for Christmas season.

The V&A spent R17 million building an on-site waste treatment facility, which started operating in January 2018

If you can stomach the V&A Waterfront during Christmas season, you’re more foolish braver than me.

These images below via Business Insider SA’s Jay Caboz:

It now has 3 open balcony-style levels that wrap around and overlook an impressive ground floor promotional court.

They are installing six new escalators and two new glass feature lifts will link the different floors and improve the pedestrian flow.

They’ve already installed waterless hand sanitiser stations in the bathroom.

And yes, the Woolies food section will remain, with double the floor space!

Almost makes it worthwhile donning your activewear to the shops, then.

How about this for a crazy stat – the complex cleans up more than two tons of discarded coffee cups every month.

The V&A Waterfront is also planning on eradicating plastic straw use by the end of this year, as part of their commitment to going green.

Happy shopping and tourist-watching (always a fun pastime) to those who frequent the area.

[source:businsider]