The R21 Corridor between Pretoria and OR Tambo is fast becoming Gauteng’s newest development node with many logistics and warehousing companies opting for space in some of the newly developed Logistics and Industrial parks in this area.
This is according to Org Geldenhuys, MD of Abacus DIVISIONS, the commercial property broking and property development company, who said companies are increasingly looking at the R21 Corridor to house their warehousing and logistics operations. Industrial parks along this corridor such as Plumbago, Eastport Logistics, 21 Industrial Park and Route 21 Corporate Park are firm favourites with companies looking to move out of older and more overcrowded areas to “more secure destinations in highly accessible and highly visible locations”. This is still one of the few areas left in Gauteng with “highway visibility and branding” opportunities for industrial and logistics companies.
“In recent years a number of major role players along this corridor have put up land for development, with a number of industrial parks now fully operating on the R21 Corridor. With the demand for good quality industrial land at a premium at the moment, a number of these developers and landowners have decided to add more industrial development land to this area.”
“By way of example,” he said, “Close to Route 21 Corporate park in Irene, Rietvlei Business Park – a new secure industrial park was just launched, whilst further on in the vicinity of the Engen garages on the R21, a developer is just finishing off with the services to yet another Logistics and Industrial Estate with a number of highway visibility stands for sale. Further on the East Port Logistics Estate is filling up nicely and the Plumbago Industrial estate closer to the OR Tambo airport is also expanding into yet another phase after the initial phases are now almost fully let. Areas such as Pomona is also benefiting from these developments”
He said focus on “Highway accessibility, tighter security and prime highway exposure” will continue to be the norm for logistics and industrial developments for the foreseeable future and anyone in the market should seriously consider the R21 Corridor as an option. “You cannot go wrong in this area!”
“Older industrial areas, with less security and high levels of traffic congestion as well as aging infrastructure, are definitely seeing their rentals dropping, tenants leaving and vacancies growing.”
“Our broking division have in the last while pitched proposals to a number high profile and multi-national clients wanting to make this corridor their new home. Most of these companies are considering the move based on a solid business case which includes co-locating, savings in turnaround time and finally close to their workforce and security - all which make perfect financial sense !”