After the excitement of the 2010 FIFA World Cup had died down, there was a noticeable slowdown in new property developments across South Africa. Cape Town was no exception to this, with little to no new developments of note coming to market – especially in the central business district (CBD). That has since changed, however, with a sudden influx of large, and in some cases significant projects commencing construction within the past few months

There is a desperate shortage of affordable rental stock in the Bloemfontein/Manguang Metro area, with flat rentals continuing to rise strongly despite the general weakness of the economy.

Indian and Russian investors have purchased the balance of the Vista Park suburb of Bloemfontein and will shortly be installing the last of the services for phase 4 in a move that is punted as creating 'an ideal new South Africa suburb'. A vaiety of business and community opportunities also present themselves to investors

In 2008, Atterbury secured the commercial development rights for 330 ha of prime land north of Sandton. Waterfall Business Estate, is in total a staggering 1,6 million square metre mixed-use commercial development - the most ambitious of its kind being undertaken in South Africa. And now Atterbury has confirmed that it is developing a 46,000sqm head office campus, customer walk in centre, data/IT centre and warehouse for Cell C at the estate

It has never been easy to get a new project launched and the plain truth is that developers have to be some of the most persevering people in the entire construction sector. It is opined that at this stage in South Africa’s economic history, far too few new projects are being launched, to the detriment of the entire residential sector. Setting out of the process, along with some of the realistic challenges, may however encourage owners sitting on land to consider its potential and further development.

Mall of the North in Polokwane, Limpopo, has been awarded the SAPOA’s (SA Property Owners Association) Innovative Excellence Award in Retail Property Development.

Sponsored by Nedbank Corporate Property Finance, this award was announced at the 44th annual SAPOA Property Convention & Exhibition at the Durban International Convention Centre

A custom developed 16,500sqm facility forming the new regional distribution centre for Ellerine Holdings Limited in Epping, Cape Town, was developed by Growthpoint who tailored the facility to client needs. The facility includes 2,000sqm of offices and a 14,500sqm warehouse and environmentally sound practices  were applied at every stage - from design and demolition through to materials and energy efficiency

The 50-hectare high-profile Meadowview Business Park offers one of the most strategically desirable locations in Johannesburg along with ample space to grow. Although the first development in the park only broke ground in June 2011, it is already attracting strong interest and has attracted to top companies: For example leading SA company General Medical Supplies (GMS) recently opened its new 6 000 sqm head office, warehouse and manufacturing facility at the prime new commercial estate.

And, GMS isn’t the only company to commit to this growing, modern business complex. Multinational supply chain company UTi Pharma seized the opportunity to develop its facility on a 61,000sqm site at Meadowview Business Park.

Hugo Stroud, director of Intaprop explains that Meadowview Business Park’s most attractive advantage is its location. It is central to Gauteng, at the London Road interchange of the N3 highway at R25 Modderfontein Road.  “This gives it superb road access, connecting to the N3, Modderfontein, OR Tambo International Airport and Greenstone retail node”. Furthermore, its loccation between Longmeadow and Linbro Park is at the epicentre of current FMCG logistics property demand.

“Meadowview Business Park also benefits from substantial office and warehousing zoning. This means it offers a range of accommodation that neighbouring areas cannot,” notes Stroud: The Park includes 250,000sqm of development ranging in size from 5,000sqm to 20,000sqm and upwards. Land can be sized to user requirements during the development stage, providing flexibility. It also offers tailor-made amalgamations of offices, laboratories, warehousing or logistics facilities for clients.

Stroud points to the high-spec, high-tech GMS facility, which Intaprop custom-built to meet the company’s needs. It benefits from Meadowview Business Park’s secure high street, landscaped business environment. For staff, it has generous on-grade parking and is close to public transport, including the Gautrain.  

Intaprop, which owns Meadowview Business Park, is a private property development and investment enterprise with a successful track record in corporate real estate development.

A prominent and well positioned site on the corner of Summerley and Main Roads in Kenilworth, Cape Town, is being redeveloped into a prime AAA grade commercial property which is expected to act as a catalyst for urban renewal in the area. Owned and developed by the Pam Golding Property group ‘Pam Golding on Main’ will comprise 4100sqm of offices and retail space, as well as 129 parking bays on two floors of secure, undercover parking. 

A precinct of six city blocks, Jewel City quietly gets on with the business of boosting economic activity in the Johannesburg CBD and Southern Africa as well as bringing tourists to spend welcome foreign currency in Johannesburg