Concor has made substantial headway on the Fourways Main Roof Works Project, a pivotal component of the ongoing Fourways Mall Repositioning Project. As the largest shopping centre in Africa, with a Gross Lettable Area (GLA) of 178 000 m², Fourways Mall is undergoing significant upgrades to improve functionality and ensure future sustainability.

Martin Muller, Contract Manager at Concor, emphasises the importance of this initiative. “This project is significant not only for its sheer size—covering 50 000 m² of roof—but also for the complex logistical and technical challenges it presents. Despite these challenges, we are on track for completion by June 2025, a testament to Concor’s expertise in managing fast track projects in live retail environments.”

The project involves constructing a roof over the existing rooftop parking on Level 7 to provide covered parking for visitors while enabling the future installation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system. As part of the scope, a steel structure is being constructed to support an 10 200 m² PV installation on the Northeastern rooftop parking area, further enhancing the mall’s sustainability.

Additionally, Concor is rehabilitating the access ring road, ensuring it meets the demands of the future.

Construction of the roof involves the installation of 550 concrete columns, ranging from 2.1 metre to 4.8 metre in height, to support a structural steel roof with sheeting. Rainwater drainage systems are being installed as part of the roof design.

Muller explains that the methodology requires the existing concrete surfaces to be prepped before drilling and dowelling the new columns into the mall’s current column structure. This ensures the load from the roof is transferred safely through existing columns and beams down to the foundations.

“Lightweight construction methods are being employed due to load restrictions on the rooftop, with spider cranes and dumpers used for erection activities,” he says. “Materials, including readymix concrete and structural steel, are delivered at street level and transported via trailers and dumpers to minimise disruption to mall operations.

On the Northeastern rooftop of Fourways Mall, a steel structure to support the installation of a solar PV system is being constructed on pre-existing concrete columns. This addition will not only provide renewable energy capability but also align with the broader goals of sustainability and energy efficiency.

Rehabilitation of the 8 000 m² access ring road is also well underway. “The completed ramp from Witkoppen Road to Fourways Boulevard has already been opened to the public, and this is a good indication of how our construction programme is geared to facilitate access for visitors to the mall.”

The process involves removing old kerbs and road components, addressing construction and bridge joints, upgrading drainage, applying waterproofing and laying a final asphalt layer. Traffic control measures including speed humps and road markings, are also being installed to ensure a safe and user-friendly experience for visitors.

Working within a live shopping environment poses unique challenges, but Concor is leveraging its extensive experience to minimise disruptions. Detailed construction management plans have been implemented including comprehensive signage to guide traffic and ensure the safety of visitors. In partnership with the Fourways Mall team, Concor is actively keeping stakeholders informed about project developments.

“This project showcases our ability to execute large-scale, technically demanding construction within active environments,” Muller says. “It’s all about balancing efficiency and safety while delivering high quality results.”

Scheduled for completion by June 2025, the Fourways Main Roof Works Project exemplifies Concor’s commitment to delivering complex infrastructure solutions that elevate both functionality and sustainability for South Africa’s retail sector.