The new division, De La Porte Property Management (Pty) Ltd is operating from DLP’s headquarters in Milnerton.  The group has been established for the past 12 years as a commercial and industrial brokerage, working mainly in the Milnerton and Montague Gardens area.

‘Going the diversification route last year was based on a decision to broaden the base of our operations in line with increasing our service to aspects of the property industry which we have not covered, having up to now, specialised exclusively in broking and letting,’ said DLP’s Jonty De La Porte.

One of Cape Town’s most experienced property management professionals, Marlene Conradie has been appointed MD of the new division and she has joined the group bringing a number of landmark Sectional Title business parks with her to add to the portfolio, such as Woodbridge Business Park, Platinum Junction, which consists of 163 sectional title units, and Constantiaberg Business Park in the southern areas, among others, where DLP intends to make inroads.

De La Porte Property Management will concentrate primarily on private landlords, body corporates and property owners associations requiring a more personalised service than the listed funds.

Conradie, who is supported by fellow directors Jonty De La Porte and Sue-Anne Wucherpfennig, has, in her career so far, been associated with other top property names in the Western Cape, including Norwich Properties and the Investec Property Group.

Wucherpfennig, who joined DLP last year, already has a 20-year professional career in various property industry specialities including shopping centre management and financial services with Southern Life, Seeff and Spearhead.

Conradie said that her decision to join DLP was in line with her growth path. ‘As head of  the new division I am in a position where my efforts will have the best effect, in a very energetic, harmonious environment.’

De La Porte said that in support of the new division and a constant striving to engage new technology, DLP had installed top of the range software. The NICOR property management software provides a full financials and reporting function, including automated rental escalations, all utility accounts and vacancy levels.

The expansion he said rode on the back of what appeared to be a new vibrancy in the broking arm of the business.