Growthpoint Properties (GRT), the largest landlord in Africa has begun construction on two new units at Centralpoint Innovation District, a light industrial precinct in Samrand, Johannesburg.
April 25 2023
Speculative units were first announced in November 2022 by Growthpoint’s in-house development team. The new units will range from 3,600 square metres to 5,700 square metres.
“The buildings are designed and developed to be clean and modern, yet stylish, speaking to the innovation-focused nature of the development. The first two units are expected to be ready for occupation by July 2023. Construction of another three units is on the cards to commence mid-year and welcome tenants in the first half of 2024,” said Leon Labuschagne, Growthpoint’s head of industrial development.
Centralpoint is a multi-million-Rand development that forms part of Growthpoint’s industrial portfolio. It is a response to the demand for property uses such as complex light industrial applications, state-of-the-art distribution centres and data centres, according to Labuschagne.
The new units join the six developments in Growthpoint’s Centralpoint Innovation District completed to date. Growthpoint recently added a tailor-made 5,750 square metre premises for Beckman Coulter. It also completed the turnkey data centre development of NTT Johannesburg 1 Data Centre at Centralpoint Innovation District, on behalf of NTT Group, the global technology services provider, represented in Africa and the Middle East by Dimension Data, the South African systems integrator. Other developments in the precinct include the 10,000 square metre Bakers SA Limited’s warehouse, distribution facility and regional offices, and the 27,000 square metre Sterling Industrial Park.
Industrial property needs have evolved and changed in SA as more people shop online. Large retailer need high-end, well-managed industrial and logistics warehouses and parks where they can store their products so that they are easy to access and move around without them being spoiled.
“Centralpoint Innovation District is attracting steady demand from quality businesses, from technology to medical and logistics. This unique precinct has come to represent the future of high-tech efficient and sustainable businesses, and we are really confident about continued tenant take-up,” said Errol Taylor, head of asset management: industrial at Growthpoint.
Centralpoint offers all the advantages of security, power availability, diverse fibre connectivity and a well-maintained public precinct managed by a dedicated property owners’ association, according to Taylor.
The buildings are optimised for flexibility, with each having its own open-plan office area. Warehouse spaces have a clear spring height of 11 metres. LED high bay lighting is provided to all warehouse spaces, and natural lighting will be enhanced by means of translucent sheeting on certain vertical sections of the facades. The warehouses will be fully sprinkler protected, with sprinkler systems connected to backup pumps and tanks. Power allocations from 147kVA to 212kVA are available.
All facilities include energy-efficient air conditioning and lighting and structural compliance for solar photovoltaic panels.
The Samrand node is central, being midway between Johannesburg and Pretoria. It is easily accessible from the N1, Gauteng’s major north-south arterial, and also offers easy east-west access, with OR Tambo International Airport being just 30 minutes away. The development is located in close proximity to established taxi and bus routes, and to the site of a future Gautrain station.
About 220,000 square metres of gross lettable area is available in total for future innovation.
alistair@propertyflash.co.za