Gateway Theatre of Shopping
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| Gateway Theatre of Shopping | |
|---|---|
 Fountain at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping |
|
| Alternative names | Gateway |
| General information | |
| Town or city | Umhlanga |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Construction started | 3 March 1998 |
| Inaugurated | September 2001 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor area | 180,000 m2 (1,900,000 sq ft) |
| Other information | |
| Number of stores | 400+[1] |
| Parking | 10,000 spaces |
| Website | |
| Gateway Theatre of Shopping | |
Gateway Theatre of Shopping or Gateway has been described as both the largest shopping centre in Africa and the largest in the southern hemisphere,[2] although other shopping centres have also claimed the southern hemisphere title.[3] It is located on Umhlanga Ridge in Umhlanga, north of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Construction commenced on 3 March 1998 and it officially opened during September 2001 and currently has a retail floor space area of 180,000 sq. metres.[citation needed] It also has almost all of South Africa's and many major international retail stores. Gateway sees more than 1.80 million visitors coming through its doors per month.[4] The centre was modeled on the Mall of America and West Edmonton Mall centres[citation needed] and was developed by Old Mutual Properties.[5]
Gateway has 18 movie theatres, 6 Nouveau Cinemas, a playhouse called the Barnyard Theatre, more than seventy restaurants, more than 350 stores, the Wave House, an arcade and theme park called Fantasy Forest, a 4000 sq. metre skate park designed by Tony Hawk, the highest indoor climbing rock in the world,[citation needed] a gym, the highest fountain in Africa,[citation needed] tenpin bowling, clubs, dodgem cars,[citation needed] valet parking,[6] Kizo Gallery, Palm Court, 1 on 1, adventure golf, MTN science centre, a Nissan 4x4 track and a science theme park.[7]
Services include parking for almost 10,000 vehicles, a car wash, and a shuttle service.[citation needed] Family rooms are provided for baby feeding and changing nappies, and all cubicles in the family rooms have panic buttons in case of emergency. A fire marshal patrols the centre, and there is an emergency helipad at Gateway.[8]
Plans for further expansion are underway, including the development of both new shops and hotels.
The construction and opening of Gateway Theatre of Shopping has also been the driving force for many new developments in the area. Originally a sugar cane plantation, the establishment of Gateway on the site has led to the development of a new town centre and both commercial and residential developments within the region.[9]
[edit] References
- ^ "Shop Directory". Gateway Theatre of Shopping. http://www.gatewayworld.co.za/categories_a.htm. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
- ^ Nkoll, Janice (25 May 2010). "Attention shifts to Gateway theatre of shopping". The Nation. http://thenationonlineng.net/web2/articles/47191/1/Attention-shifts-to-Gateway-theatre-of-shopping/Page1.html. Retrieved 25 February 2011. "It is acclaimed the largest shopping centre in Africa and the largest in the southern hemisphere."
- ^ Power, Emily (18 November 2009). "Chaddy now the biggest". Herald Sun. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/chaddy-now-the-biggest/story-e6frf7kx-1225799041511. Retrieved 25 February 2011.
- ^ "Gateway". eThekwini Online. City of Durbin. http://www.durban.gov.za/durban/discover/shopping/shoppingcentres/gatewa. Retrieved 25 February 2011.
- ^ "Global award for Gateway Theatre of Shopping". Old Mutual. 223 March 2003. http://www.oldmutual.co.za/PressRelease.aspx?navid=88&contentid=387. Retrieved 25 February 2011.
- ^ "Valet Parking". Gateway Theatre of Shopping. http://www.gatewayworld.co.za/valet.htm. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
- ^ "Zulu Kingdom tourism site". http://sugarcoast.kzn.org.za/sugarcoast/about/59.xml.
- ^ "Customer Care". Gateway Theatre of Shopping. http://www.gatewayworld.co.za/customercare.htm. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
- ^ Clur, Belinda (2007). "South African Property Market Continues to Sizzle". Research Review (International Council of Shopping Centers) 14 (2): 67. http://www.icsc.org/srch/rsrch/researchquarterly/current/rr2007142/FINAL.pd. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
[edit] External links
Coordinates: 29°43′32″S 31°04′00″E / 29.725589°S 31.066547°E
