By Frederick Philander WINDHOEK BOUGAIN VILLAS in Klein Windhoek is the latest modern shopping center that has opened its doors offering wider buying choices for the ever-growing buying power of customers in the capital. The shopping village was last week officially and ceremoniously opened by the Deputy Mayor of Windhoek, Elain Trepper. “The City of Windhoek welcomes this new shopping center, depicting the diversity of our economy and the culture of our nation,” Trepper said when officially cutting the ribbon on a balcony overlooking a big courtyard in the center of the uniquely mixed architectural premises sporting 26 shops. “The shopping complex offers a wide range of products from art, linen, a gallery, jewellery, craft, dÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚©cor, gifts, beauty, fashion, marketing, souvenirs, technology, food, coffee and a bookshop as well as a conference venue. It is exclusive and offers a ‘makeover’ for the individual, the home and family, specifically for women and children,” said Sonya Mercker of New-Media Consultants when giving a public overview of the establishment of the center on the opening night. A large number of invited guests attended the official opening that sported a programme of entertainment and sophisticated modelling exhibitions by local models. “This center and its multiple building styles were inspired by images ranging from medieval to the post-modern eras. The vision was to build a courtyard, ‘a peoples’ square’ with fountains and gardens surrounded by buildings of various styles and images,” Mercker, who steadfastly believes the villages will retain the colourful flair of a vibrant marketplace, said. Various entertainment events are envisaged for the new complex with ample parking facilities to shoppers. “We are planning a number of musical festivals, exhibitions, creative workshops and family events, which will regularly take place as an additional treat to an already extraordinary shopping experience,” said Mercker who also explained the unique building styles to those present. According to her the Bougain Villas complex comprises seven inspired architectural styles: Romanesque, Medieval Gothic, New Classical Modern, French Chateau, German Fachwerk, Art Nouveau and Italian Tuscan. “It is emphasised that every building has it own style and character and is not a copy, replica or reproduction of a certain era or building. It’s a mix of dreams and ideas to create a unique masterpiece,” she said in paying tribute to the City of Windhoek and Bank Windhoek, plus the many sub-contractors who built the complex.