While accessible location is key, large industrial users seeking to relocate to more spacious premises in order to accommodate growth in warehousing, distribution and/or production are tending to seek premises which are not only clean and modern but which also offer large yards and turning circles for trucks, with good security and if possible, high exposure to passing traffic.
Situated in Mirabel Industrial Park just off the Pomona off-ramp, near Kempton Park and en route to Pretoria, this block comprises 6 825 square metres of A grade warehousing space which is available to let through JHI Properties.
These users are generally in the size range from approximately 5 000 to 10 000 square metres and upwards.
Jonathan Klimek, leasing consultant for JHI Properties in the Johannesburg area says that an increasing trend among large industrial tenants such as these is to look for properties where they can occupy an entire building or buildings, which not only enhances security but also provides for greater convenience with only one tenant on site.
This is particularly so where large trucks and containers are regularly manoeuvred in and out of the property.
“In recent years there has been a noticeable trend towards an increase in demand from distribution and logistics-type operations, where large warehousing space – with a small office component – and large yards are available, including those which can accommodate vehicles with super-link trailers,” he says.
He says in the current market, some businesses may find it difficult to find modern, industrial space which is suitable for their requirements.
They may be expanding their business, or find themselves currently situated in an older building which therefore does not offer them the space or flexibility they require.
Generally, the current trend is to occupy less office space, a surplus of which represents wasted space and therefore unnecessary cost.”
“Currently, there are a number of appealing options available for industrial businesses of significant size which are looking to rent space, which is available to let through JHI Properties - either immediately or within the next few months and at competitive rental rates.”
In a well-established park in Louwlardia, Midrand, bordering Centurion and close to the Old Johannesburg on- and off-ramp, 13 412 square metres of industrial accommodation in excellent condition is available from 1 July 2013 at just R55 per square metre.
Klimek says due to its location between Johannesburg and Pretoria, the premises are ideal for a distribution centre. Similarly, in Clovelly Business Park in Halfway House, also in Midrand - just off the new improved Alandale Road, 4 972 square metres of light industrial space is available immediately at R45 per square metre.
In Jet Park, an industrial suburb in Boksburg, some 8 000 square metres of industrial accommodation has become available to rent, suitable for a tenant in search of large space within one sizeable block.
In City Deep Industrial Park, just off Heidelberg Road and near the Joburg Market, approximately 15 000 square metres of space is available to let in three large blocks which can be made into one standalone park with a yard in between – thereby further improving security.
Home to City Deep container terminal and just over 25km from OR Tambo, this industrial park is situated in an area which experiences high demand. The rental rate of this property is R40 per square metre, he says.
In another sought-after area, Isando, to the east of Johannesburg, an entire building comprising 11 182 square metres in Industria Road is to let from 1 September at a rental of R55 per square metre, which includes a revamp to suit the new tenant.
Klimek, who recently concluded the lease of a property at 60 Electron Avenue - also in Isando, says a recently renovated property adjacent to this and with the same excellent exposure on the R24 which leads to OR Tambo International Airport, is available to let immediately, with 11 717 square metres at a rental rate of R42 per square metre.
Due to its good position and accessibility the property is well suited to a warehousing and distribution operation.
“At Linbro Business Park in Marlboro, an industrial property comprising a total of 7 461 square metres within two warehouses ticks all the boxes for one potential tenant.”
Facing the N3, this has good highway exposure and accessibility, while redevelopment of the property by the landlord will enable the large yard to easily accommodate 20 and 40 foot containers, he says.
When an industrial operation with a fleet of large trucks is not the sole tenant, a problem often faced is having to contend with other tenants’ vehicles which may cause congestion and obstruction in the yard, leading to delays and other factors which decrease operating efficiencies, thereby impacting negatively on the business.
This property is available to let at a rental of R55 per square metre.
In the same business park a further property comprising 5 500 square metres of warehousing and 1 500 square metres of office space, where the yard is also being redeveloped to accommodate super-links trucks, is to let at R60 per square metre, according to Klimek.
In Pomona, near Kempton Park, en route to Pretoria, in rapidly growing industrial node which is popular among freight companies, is a block comprising 6 825 square metres of A grade warehousing which has become available in Mirabel Industrial Park, just off the Pomona off-ramp.
With good security, the space is to let at a rental of R52 per square metre.
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