Melrose Arch, South Africa’s most prestigious mixed-use precinct, has been recognised for its excellence in design at the annual South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) 2009 Spectrum Awards.
The recently opened Melrose Arch Piazza was announced a finalist in the SACSC Retail Design and Development Awards for design of a shopping centre in excess of 15,000sqm, and Melrose Arch’s Grand Central Restaurant scooped the Spectrum Award for best designed store or restaurant in South Africa.
Melrose Arch is owned by Amdec and the Melrose Arch Piazza was designed by dhk Architects together with Boogertman and Partners. Grand Central is co-owned by Nick Kiros, Claudio Costa and Nick Mousios. Claudio Costa and Ben Dos Reis, from Refined Existence in Space architectural firm, were involved in developing the space planning layouts and engineering drawings for the project. dhkthinkspace worked closely with the owners of Grand Central in the interior design of the restaurant.
The Spectrum Awards honour innovation, creativity, vision and excellence, and the design category celebrates exceptional creative distinction and brilliance within the design and development industry.
“The Spectrum Awards rank as one of the most prestigious in the industry, and we are delighted that the Melrose Arch Piazza achieved such a high rating from the panel of judges,” says CEO of Amdec James Wilson.
“The Piazza was inspired by some of the world’s most memorable piazzas and international high street shopping venues. We are delighted that it is living up to the reputation of those iconic spaces. Its architectural interpretation brings to life the vibrant tone which was intended in its design brief.”
“We are also delighted that Grand Central – the hugely popular restaurant in Melrose Arch – has earned itself a worthy Spectrum accolade. The passion and commitment which the owners have invested in this exceptional venue is absolute credit to their stature among the country’s finest restaurateurs,” notes Wilson
Grand Central was based on the ‘Big Apple’ concept. “The vision was to offer a unique subway-meets-New-York-brasserie theme -- big, bold and the place to see and be seen,” explains Kiros.
“The interior design is the source from which the electric urban energy of the restaurant originates, and it is one of the special ingredients which has made Grand Central so popular with patrons.”
Equally delighted with the accolades is Derek Henstra, of both dhkthinkspace and dhk architects, who was behind both awards.
“Together with our partners, it has been pure inspiration designing for Melrose Arch. A citation was awarded to dhk Architects, by the Spectrum judges, for the Design Excellence of the scheme. Both the Melrose Arch Piazza and Grand Central are unique projects undertaken by leaders in their respective fields who are prepared to settle for nothing but the best and willing to be taken beyond the realms of the ordinary,” says Henstra.
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