Damodar Brothers (Films) Limited chief executive, Div Damodar, in front of the cinema complex of the Damodar City Centre which is under construction in Raiwai, Suva. Photo: RACHNA LAL
By RACHNA LAL
The opening of the Damodar City Centre complex in Raiwai, Suva, has been much anticipated and now the investors have confirmed the contractor will complete his work in July.
Damodar Bothers (Films) Limited chief executive, Div Damodar, said after this, tenants would then start on their tenancy fitouts.
“The opening of the Centre will then depend on how soon the tenancy fitouts are completed,” he said.
“Some tenancy fitouts have in fact already commenced so it is likely that some tenants will open for business before the ‘grand opening’ of the Centre.”
Mr Damodar said the construction of the main structure of the complex is approximately 85 to 87 per cent complete.
“The final touches are generally when a more delicate attention is required so the main contractor is addressing the remaining works with the appropriate level of meticulousness,” he said.
Extension for construction
Mr Damodar said they had initially planned to complete the ‘main construction’ at the end of April but it was decided to be extended to end of July.
“The extension is because of our decision to add in some additional lettable space where we plan to introduce some new and very exciting activities for the Centre,” he said.
Whilst details of specific activities are kept under wraps, Mr Damodar has assured people that they will be excited and pleased when they eventually see and experience what was planned for them here.
“The overall objective of the Centre has been to introduce a level of shopping and entertainment that has never before seen or experienced in Fiji and this is what we will bring to the Centre,” he said.
Staggered opening
Mr Damodar highlighted they are considering a staggered opening for the Centre.
“One major advantage of this is that it will enable each and every tenant to gain maximum mileage of their shop,” he said.
“It is generally seen that when a grand opening is done, only the bigger tenants tend to receive mileage and this is not what we want.
“We want even our smaller tenants to be prominent during the opening and a staggered opening does allow this.”
Cinemas at Centre
One of the services offered through the Centre which is being looked forward to is the cinema component.
Mr Damodar said at this stage, they prefer not give away too much information as they want the movie goers to have the full experience themselves without being told what to expect in advance.
“All I can say now though is that there will be 4 cinemas and they will include a V Max and a Premier Class Cinema,” he said.