MUSGRAVE CENTRE RENOVATIONS COMPLETE

Marketing manager of Musgrave Centre, Michelle Shelley, has just returned from Budapest, Hungary, where the centre was received a Silver Solal Award in the international Solal Awards which rewards the most effective retail campaigns.

The watershed prototype shopping centre, from which all other KZN shopping centres took their cue, Musgrave Centre will celebrate the completion of its extreme make-over on June 19.

Owned by SA Corporate Real Estate Fund and managed by Old Mutual Property Musgrave Centre, the centre has enjoyed an extensive, thorough and detailed renovation and refurbishment process which once more positions it as an industry innovator. The result is a modern, aesthetically pleasing and stylish shopper’s paradise.

Coupled with the renovation process has been a shift in branding philosophy. The centre’s Accentuate an Icon rebranding campaign has been acknowledged internationally – Musgrave Centre took home a Silver in the international Solal Awards which rewards the most effective retail campaigns. Members of the Primedia Lifestyle marketing team attended the finals in Budapest to compete with the top retail marketers across Europe and South Africa. The Solal Awards recognise best practice and outstanding marketing performance and are seen as a benchmark of quality throughout the industry, internationally.

Musgrave Centre is home to over 120 upmarket retail outlets and a busy Ster Kinekor complex. Among other benefits, the reconfiguration of the centre has created a dedicated food court allowing shoppers to have a smorgasbord dining experience where synergistic food options are offered in close and easy proximity. The refurbishment has also allowed existing tenants to occupy custom-designed retail spaces, which has made way for new retail options.

Another innovation, which has been well received by visitors, is the installation of the identipark parking system which guides motorists to available parking bays. Musgrave Centre is the first centre to install this watershed parking system.

Musgrave Centre is one of the pioneer shopping centres in KZN – built around 1953 at a time long before malls were popular. Musgrave has re-invented itself periodically during its long and illustrious life and is ready and eager to welcome visitors again now that it is spruced up, elegant and contemporary.