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Sheffield Business Park becomes a reality
Date published 16 July 2008
Distributors looking for bulk warehousing space ideally suited to service the entire Southern Cape should look no further than Sheffield Business Park – at 50+ hectares, one of the largest greenfield industrial nodes to come on stream in recent years says Broll Property Group director William Wakefield.
He adds: ‘The buoyant economy has depleted the market of industrial space for large-users and prices of serviced vacant land have skyrocketed.’ Easy access to all the main arterial routes – the N2, M5, R300 and N1 – combined with road upgrades surrounding the Park make the node an ideal warehousing / distribution hub.
Acknowledging the suitability of the area is the fact that construction at Spar Group’s new 40 000m2 distribution centre is well advanced. The Park has been planned with the needs of modern users paramount – state-of-the-art security, wide internal roads suitable for large interlink-type trucks and environmentally-savvy indigenous landscaping.
Sheffield Business Park falls within government’s drive to improve the Lansdowne Corridor – one of the busiest commuter routes from the Cape Flats to the city centre. Not only is the node an easy work destination for staff but it is also on the doorstep of an abundant labour pool.
In addition to the large industrial base is an offering for commercial and retail tenants. Turnkey developments – custom-built to leaseholders’ needs – are planned and range from 1000m2 to 20 000m2. ‘While some users may look to purchase their own, there is still huge demand for leased space as many operators prefer to focus on their core business rather than become property owners,’ says Wakefield.
While Broll are the exclusive marketing consultants to this project they bring more than just sales expertise. ‘We bring a multi-dimensional perspective to a project of this size and complexity, and have been involved from the early conceptualisation stage. In addition to the early feasibility studies, it’s important to create a complementary mix of tenants and owners so that the node is sustainable in its own right – a well-planned development has its own life.’
Installation of services and infrastructure has commenced, with land transfer set to take place towards the end of 2008. It is envisaged that occupation for first phase tenants and owners will begin in the second quarter of 2009.
‘Rising interest rates have affected the dynamics of the market in recent months but the fact remains; if you need space to build new warehousing or distribution facilities in the Cape there are few options available. And Sheffield Business Park is probably the most attractive, from a location as well as value perspective,’ concludes Wakefield.
For further information contact William Wakefield on 082 807 0666 or Anton McElhone on 083 506 7829 alternatively on 021 419 7373
Author: Cullum Johnston, Imbongi Communications
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