The Colony shopping centre in the trendy Joburg suburb of Hyde Park said “benvenuto” to the first VickyCristina’s tapas bar and restaurant in Gauteng, bringing with it a unique casual Spanish dining offering.
VickyCristina’s is an exciting new drawcard for the centre boasting not just Spanish food, but a Catalonian experience complete with décor and dancing.It’s a sizzling addition to the centre and was opened in June to rave reviews. VickyCristina’s entry comes in the wake of a R10 million cosmetic revamp to The Colony, which is owned by JSE-listed Emira Property Fund and managed by Broll Property Group.
The 7 251 square metre specialist, lifestyle centre located at 345 Jan Smuts Avenue is set to attract increased visitors following its revamp and VickyCristina’s official opening, which took place in June.
Preston Gaddy, Broll’s Divisional Director of Strategic Retail Leasing, says VickyCristina’s first entry into the Gauteng market with its flagship offering was secured by Broll. He says it’s an exciting new drawcard for the centre boasting not just Spanish food, but a Catalonian experience complete with décor and dancing.
Gaddy says the VickyCristina’s franchise concept comes from Durban, but Joburg-based entrepreneur, Terence Naidu, is behind the first outlet in Gauteng, where he is the master licence holder. He says the Colony needed a new addition like this that would bring something new to Joburg and attract new shoppers to the centre.
James Templeton, CEO of Emira, says the opening of VickyCristina’s was timed well to coincide with the cosmetic revamp of The Colony.
He says the revamp, which was completed earlier this year, focused on areas frequented by customers such as the walkways and ablutions. More lighting was added as well as new signage, improved gardens and security to the centre, he says.
“As a result of the revamp, the centre has been put on the map. The existing tenants are experiencing improved turnovers as a result of increased foot traffic. The Colony is now fully let.”
Templeton says a wide variety of consumers are attracted to the centre, from the loyal followers of Pronto Italian Deli Restaurant and Hodges Coffee House to the enthusiasts of The Fred Astaire Dance Studio.
Besides VickyCristina’s, other new additions to the centre includes Living Yoga, Energy Emporium and the Vajrapani Buddhist Centre. VickyCristina’s takes up 388 square metres of space in the area that was once home to Jane’s Linen.
Naidu says he plans to open two to three more outlets in the province. However, he wants to “bed-down” his first flagship outlet. “While it has been well-received, as our first outlet in Gauteng it is going to be our priority for now.”
Naidu says they are bringing an exciting new restaurant offering to Joburg, which has been starved of a unique Spanish offering and diversity. He says it is based on the Spanish tapas concept of sharing small portions and multiple food dishes in a lively setting.
The Colony is not only home to the first VickyCristina’s in Gauteng, but as a casual dining experience it will also have a ‘Conquesta’ bar where salsa dancing and other entertainment will be part of the mix, he says.
