Sod turned for US$60M Chateau Margot Mall with promise to maintain chimney landmark

…as Pres Ali pushes for “Guyana strip” at the mall

The ground-breaking ceremony for the US$60 million Chateau Margot Mall on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) was held on Friday with commitments from the ANSA McAL Group of Companies to ensure the preservation of the historic Chateau Margot Chimney site. The Chateau Margot Mall is being constructed on privately owned land adjacent to the historic Chateau Margot Chimney, which remains a protected and heritage site under state control.

President Dr Irfaan Ali and Chairman of ANSA McAL Group, Norman Sabga sharing a light moment at Friday’s sod-turning ceremony for the Chateau Margot Mall as Ministers Susan Rodrigues and Juan Edghill, along with Managing Director of ANSA McAL Distribution Inc Guyana, Troy Cadogan and other officials, look on

Over the last few weeks, preparatory works had commenced at the site, including land clearance and landscaping – something that sparked concerns on social media about possible threats to the ECD heritage landmark. But during the official sod-turning ceremony to commence construction work on the US$60 million mall, officials from the ANSA McAL Group assured that the preservation of the chimney and its surroundings is at the forefront of this project. “In terms of ensuring the safety of the [chimney]… I want to assure you, that was never in doubt,” Head of External Affairs Guyana and Managing Director of ANSA McAL Distribution Inc Guyana, Troy Cadogan, stated on Friday. Similarly, Executive Chairman of the ANSA McAL Group of Companies, Norman Sabga, declared that, “Chateau Margot itself is special because it stands as a bridge between Guyana’s rich heritage and its exciting future. The iconic chimney, which is adjacent to the mall, stands out, symbolising the resilience and strength of the community – a proud reminder of the nation’s industrious spirit. Mr President we will preserve the chimney. It’s iconic and we respect what it stands for.”

Modern-day mall experience
These commitments were welcomed by President Dr Irfaan Ali, who noted that Friday’s sod-turning ceremony represents more than just the commencement of physical works but the confidence that the Trinidad-based ANSA McAL Group has in Guyana’s rapidly growing economy. “It represents more than a new commercial space. A mall brings together multiple businesses, creates jobs during construction and operation, stimulates surrounding businesses, attracts new services and provides a place where people can go and relax, do shopping, have a meal and spend time with family and friends, while all at the same time, adding to the tourism product of our country,” he said.

The design of the US$60 million Chateau Margot Mall on the East Coast of Demerara

According to the Head of State, the concept behind a mall goes beyond the idea of a collection of shops under one roof. He added that it is designed to bring people, product and experiences together in one place.
“It is a modern marketplace, one that is planned, accessible and efficient, one where consumers can find a range of products and services in a secure and comfortable environment. A mall in modern day concept is not shopping, it is an experience, but a mall also serves a deeper purpose. It becomes a social and economic hub, a place where small businesses thrive alongside major retailers, where families gather and we are communities connect. It forces economic circulation, transactions to support jobs, supply chains and local enterprise,” the Guyanese leader posited.

Guyana strip
In the same breath, however, President Ali pointed out that it is important for modern-day malls to also celebrate the culture of society. Having looked at the design plan for the Chateau Margot Mall, President Ali, with his expertise in urban development, recognised that the external space is not fully optimised.
To this end, the Head of State said that the company should do more to establish a space within the mall to specifically promote Guyanese culture and products.

The Chateau Margot Chimney will be preserved as the modern mall is built around it

“You can easily create a Guyana strip – a One Guyana strip, that celebrates the endurance of the chimney, that celebrates the strength of the chimney and the beacon nature of the chimney. And in that strip, we work with the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) and the small businesses that we will develop up the value chain to have a paid presence [at the mall]… It will be something different and something to speak to a policy direction of the country, and support for small businesses, especially women-led businesses,” Dr Ali stressed.
In response to the President, the ANSA McAL Group Chairman committed to implementing the proposal for a space dedicated to promote Guyanese products at the mall. “I heard what you said about the mall… I would like to suggest that our team and your people look at developing it jointly – whether it’s a farmer’s market, a volleyball/basketball court and maybe booths and stalls where the indigenous people can showcase their products and so forth,” Sabga declared.
Spanning 110,000 square feet of leasable space, it is envisioned that the Chateau Margot Mall will be a modern lifestyle centre. With an 18-month timeline, the mall will be constructed by the Zhongshe Construction & Engineering, Varchi Design & Build, and KS&P Ltd. It will also provide some 100 job opportunities during the construction phase with another 100 permanent jobs in the retail and other sectors.


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