‘Junction14’ replaces Taxi City

A total revamp and renaming of Taxi City in the heart of Richards Bay, at a substantial cost, will breathe new life into the CBD over the next year.

The building is basically being torn down and rebuilt as an upmarket shopping mall to be known as ‘Junction 14’.

Schoonies Vier (Pty) Ltd, who purchased the property on auction in August 2017, had the vision of redeveloping the restricted centre into an enclosed mall with dual supermarkets at each end, to stimulate the mass of commuter foot traffic that daily passes through to shop within the mall.

‘Once completed the mall will be 85% occupied by national retailers,’ said developer Freddy Schoonhoven.

The site was officially handed over last week to Johan Nel of Jawet Construction, who were appointed as the building contractor for the renovations of the building. Of note, the same contractor constructed the original Taxi City building.

Artist impression of Junction 14

Job opportunities

Some 200 – 300 people, all locals, will be employed during the various stages of the construction phase, with at least three times that number likely to receive permanent employment once all the new retail stores are in operation.

Besides a total new aesthetic and appearance, a major security upgrade will see a fence enclosure surrounding the mall’s parking area.

The upgrade of the mall will include enhancing the overall appearance and aesthetics, in addition to major security upgrades with a fence enclosing the parking area around the mall.

‘We decided on the name ‘Junction 14’ going forward as the local rank is commonly referred to as ‘14’ by the patrons using public transport,’ said Schoonhoven.

‘Currently, there is a foot count of around 4 000 people passing through the mall per hour, and with this in mind the mall will be developed in three phases.

• Phase 1 has commenced and is scheduled to open on 1 December 2020;

• Phase 2 will commence on 1 May for opening in September 2020;

• Phase 3 will commence on 15 January 2021 and open on 1 July 2021.

The City of uMhlathuze has already spent a significant amount of money to upgrade the rank, and together with them Schoonies Vier would like to create a safe shopping experience for all patrons coming from wide and far by taxi or bus.

Bold building with head and heart

WHILE the Schoonhoven family are known as uncompromising, fair- and open-minded business people, the fact is that most of the buildings they have erected have directly benefited and met the needs of the most vulnerable in the community.

Their Waterfront offices proudly display wall to wall photos of the structures they have built, many of which serve large sectors of those who seek government services as well as local commerce & industry, as well as entertainment & hospitality.

The Schoonies Group of companies owns the following well-known buildings in and around Richards Bay and beyond:

• Junction 14 (formerly Taxi City Richards Bay)
• Taxi City Mtubatuba
• Esikhawini Mall
• Esikhawini Plaza
• Meerensee Mall
• Virgin Active Richards Bay
• Tuzi Gazi Esplanade
• Department of Labour
• Seacrest Park
• ABSA Building Empangeni
• Bon Hotel Richards Bay Waterfront
• Bon Hotel Empangeni
• Protea Hotel Umfolozi River
• RBMI Cancer hospital (which was sold off).

This list is by no means exhaustive and apart from the high quality of their structures they have also contributed on an emotional level.

The family has for many years been involved in Round Table International charity work and in latter years has been instrumental in being of enormous benefit to CANSA and local cancer sufferers.

Schoonies Vier built the state-of-theart Richards Bay Medical Institute, since sold, in honour of the family’s patriarch Johan Schoonhoven, who sadly passed away but left this wonderful legacy.

They also played a large part in the renovation and financing of the new Richards Bay Cansa House, ensuring a ‘home from home’ for the relatives of cancer patients who visit the city for treatment.

History repeats itself

When Schoonies Vier embarked on the project to revamp Taxi City in Richards Bay, they were re-enacting a bit of history that goes back 27 years.

The Zululand Observer of 3 December 1993 published a photograph of a delighted trio celebrating the official opening of Mtuba Bus and Taxi City.

One of those in the picture was Johan Nel of Jawet Construction – the company chosen for the new Junction 14 development. Also in the frame is Johan Schoonhoven, now sadly deceased, but whose son Freddy has taken over the reins.

As they say: ‘If it’s not broken, don’t fix it’, and the tried and tested combination will no doubt construct another edifice to be proud of.