The R850 million Springs Mall at Blue Crane Eco Park officially broke ground today, bringing this eagerly awaited a 52,000sqm regional mall a step closer to becoming a welcome reality for shoppers in the greater Springs area in Ekurhuleni in the east of Gauteng.

This landmark event was hosted by developers and joint venture owners Flanagan & Gerard Developments, Blue Crane Mall (Pty) Ltd and the family of Giuricich Brothers.

The sod-turning ceremony was attended by the Executive Mayor of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Mondli Gungubele, and Dr Luigi Diodati of the Italian Embassy, amongst other VIPs.

Set to open in 2016, Springs Mall is the vision of Springs businessman Franco D'Arrigo. The D'Arrigo family has lived in Springs for three generations and is passionately invested in the future of this city. The mall benefits from the leading know-how of a respected and experienced team of business and retail property professionals.

When it opens, it is expected to become the region's dominant mall with an exciting mix of comprehensive, quality retail variety.

Patrick Flanagan of Flanagan and Gerard says: "Springs Mall at Blue Crane Eco Park is a superb answer to the shopping needs of a growing community that is under served by retail. With an excellent location, access and visibility, it will make comprehensive one-stop shopping easy for the aspirant and upmarket residents of the area."

The mall will also create an enduring legacy of positive social and economic impacts in the city and the region, for many years to come.

Right now, between R300 million to R500 million in retail revenue draining out of the city, as local residents take their valuable spend elsewhere. Springs Mall at Blue Crane Eco Park will boost the Springs economy by R1.2 billion. It will also create valuable employment opportunities.

"Local employment is a priority for Springs Mall at Blue Crane Eco Park," reports Franco D'Arrigo. "We're working hard to ensure the Springs community benefits from the mall's construction and the operation of its retailers. During its construction, the mall is estimated to create between 500 and 700 jobs. After it opens, it will create further 1,200 to 1,500 sustainable jobs."

Springs Mall will offer a complete shopping experience with two national supermarket chains as anchor tenants, complemented by two large national fashion retailers. Added to this will be a wide range of appealing fashion, homeware, health and beauty, gifting and décor outlets, restaurants and important everyday services. All of this will come together to create a great shopping experience in a world-class setting.

Springs Mall at Blue Crane Eco Park is superbly positioned in the suburb of Casseldale. It benefits from a prime position at the intersection of the N17 highway and R51/Wit Road. It will offer excellent accessibility off Jan Smuts Road and eye-catching frontage on the N17 highway. Its striking visibility means people travelling on the N17 highway will be able to see the two-level mall from up to 5km away.

Added to this is the convenience of free open-air parking on both its shopping levels with easy shopper access from both parking areas, through four entrances.

Springs Mall will cater for shoppers in its primary market of greater Springs including residents from Casseldale, Strubenvale, Pollak Park, New Era, Edelweiss, Selection Park, Nuffield, Selcourt, Sharon Park, Dunnottar, Brenthurst, Geduld, Petersfield, East Geduld, Bakerton, Welgedacht, and Paul Krugersoord. These people are mainly middle- to high-income earning consumers, from LSM 4 to 10+.

It will also attract shoppers from further afield including neighbouring towns like Vischkuil, Nigel, Devon and Leandra. In addition, Springs Mall will serve as an interceptor to the metropolitan area capturing trade on the N17 as far west as Ermelo in Mpumalanga.