![Celebrating Baywest Mall’s sponsorship of the renowned Port Elizabeth air show, now named the Baywest Port Elizabeth Airshow, are (from right) SA Air Force spokesman and museum curator Captain Mark Kelbrick, Baywest MD Gavin Blows, MTR Smit Children’s Haven director and air show convenor Crystal Watson, and air show committee members Andrew Barton and Stu Davidson (in the cockpit of his L39 fighter jet). [picture supplied]](https://stfrancischronicle.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/sep-2014-baywest_airshow.jpg)
The air show is in its 18th year and is one of the biggest spectacles of wildcat aerobatics and jaw-dropping stunts by pilots from around the world. To be held on 25 October on the grounds of the SA Air Force Museum Port Elizabeth, behind the Port Elizabeth Airport, this annual event attracts thousands of spectators from around the country.
The developers have signed on as the title sponsors* of the Baywest Port Elizabeth Airshow. In addition, the Baywest is also sponsoring the return of renowned German aircraft builder and aerobatic pilot, Philipp Steinbach, who will fly the two-seater SBach aerobatic aeroplane which he helped design. In a previous show Steinbach was the star attraction with aerobatic feats seen nowhere else in the country.
The Baywest development is a joint venture between two major South African developers, Abacus Asset Management and Billion Group.
Renowned South African stuntman Nigel Hopkins will also feature in the air show’s line-up, as will Port Elizabeth-based aerobatic champion Patrick Davidson, son of local flying legend Stu Davidson. Acclaimed former Port Elizabeth schoolboy Major Werner Vermaak will also feature as one of the pilots in the Silver Falcons.
Baywest MD Gavin Blows says: “This is the biggest and most-loved air show in the region so we wanted to be part of that and help organisers put on the best spectacle that Nelson Mandela Bay residents have ever seen. “With the opening of the biggest mall in the Eastern Cape just six months away we want to remind residents of what we are all about – bringing something exciting and new to the region.
“We are also passionate about community upliftment. The fact that proceeds of this Airshow go towards the MTR Smit Children’s Haven is what helped clinch our backing.”
Fast facts about Baywest Mall:
- The mall size, 87,500m², is the gross leasable area and excludes the parking area for about 3,200 vehicles.
- The development of the mall is a joint venture between Abacus Asset Management and Billion Group.
- The construction value of the mall is approximately R1.7-billion, with a further R300-million being spent on developing the road network in the area. The road network includes an interchange onto/off the N2 freeway, as well as the Redhouse-Chelsea arterial road, linking the suburbs of Sherwood and Rowallan Park/Bridgemeade via a road over the N2.
- The mall is central to the development of the greater Baywest City project, which will be similar in concept to Cape Town’s Century City development.
- About 25% of the 320ha Baywest City site has been allocated for environmental preservation and will not be developed at all.
The developers, bbeteen them, have more than 25 years of experience specialising in retail, commercial and mixed-use developments located in major South African cities. With super-regional shopping centres, landmark office towers and golf course developments, the developers have successfully completed malls such as Hemingways in East London, Eikestad Mall in Stellenbosch, Cape Gate in the Western Cape and Mooi Rivier Mall in Potchefstroom.
(edited)
Follow St Francis Chronicle on Twitter: @stfranchronicle
St Francis Chronicle 