MEET OUR

Team Members

INTRODUCING

PAULA VAN MELSEN

079 287 6393

Having managed the leasing of national retail portfolios in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Witbank, Boksburg, Benoni, Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal over the past two decades, Paula van Melsen has built strong relationships with developers, landlords and retailers. These relationships are proving invaluable in her role as a retail leasing specialist at The Market Space.

She is widely regarded as an expert in the field, who delivers on her brief time and time again. Equipped with a comprehensive understanding of the property market, particularly all aspects of the retail sector, she knows how to optimise tenant adjacencies for centres and identify suitable sites for retailers. Her approach to her work is hands-on and never anything less than professional. She has exceptional industry knowledge across lease and contract negotiations, as well as existing and new retail developments.

Her ultimate goal: Reducing vacancies and marrying the perfect retailer with the perfect space.

Gavin Tagg and Francois Coetzer have an incredible reputation in the retail industry.  So, I knew I would be in good hands.  The opportunity to get back into NEW DEALS was my first priority.  I more recently had an incredible experience at Fairvest but was restricted to renewals only. Anybody who knows me knows that new deals are my passion and my skill-set.

  • The most inspiring part of my work is ‘marrying’ the retailer to the space, negotiating the commercial terms, closing the deal and seeing the tenant trade with longevity years later. 
  • It is always interesting and inspiring keeping abreast of global retail trends and also to see what is happening in our own local markets.

  • I would say it is 50% gut and 50% knowledge, negotiating skills, and retail knowledge in general. 
  • I completed my NQF4 and PDE4, making me a full-status qualified agent.
  • Relationships are everything to me and I am proud to say that I have built very good relationships and even beautiful friendships with most retailers and landlords/developers alike.

  • Returning from New Zealand around 10 years ago, networking was the vital component to building a name and relationships within the retail industry in Cape Town.  When starting up it is imperative to network. 
  • Even once relationships are established, it is good to have a presence at events and take advantage of opportunities where you have many retailers represented under one roof.

  • McDonalds Beaufort West Drive-Thru, Western Cape
  • Diesel, Ciao Baby Cucina in Cedar Square, Gauteng
  • Starbucks, Mugg & Bean, Clicks, Aliverti, Sabro Jewellers, The Loft Yoga Studio, Wellness Warehouse, Spoilt Hair Salon, Sushi Box, Paris Bakery – Lifestyle on Kloof, Gardens, Cape Town
  • Mr Price, Shoelettes – Lansdowne Corner, Cape Town 
  • Tashas – Atholl Square Shopping Centre, Gauteng
  • Cowboys and Cooks – Sunset Beach, Milnerton

I work comfortably between all categories – local lower income brands for rural portfolios as well as middle to higher income luxury brands. 

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