Joburg aerotropolis plans generate interest

PLANS for the development of an “aerotropolis” linked to OR Tambo International Airport have spurred interest in the area among both developers and businesses.

The aerotropolis, wherein infrastructure and commercial activity are envisaged to be focused around Africa’s busiest airport — much like the Memphis aerotropolis, for example, — is being driven largely by the City of Ekurhuleni and the province.

Its establishment has been welcomed by developers in the area. Krisp Properties is one such developer, and the firm plans to make a R500m investment in the precinct.

Estate agents have reported a spike in interest from developers and businesses in the area. According to Clearwater Office Park project director and Krisp Properties executive director Jordan Mann, Krisp began its initial Clearwater residential development “before the aero- tropolis kicked off, but when we heard news of the aerotropolis, we decided to grow our commercial development with the office park”.

The company was investing more than R500m into office parks and commercial facilities in the node. Mr Mann said yesterday the aerotropolis project had “guided” the group’s investment in the development.

“Now that the area is going to become the central business district of the East Rand, we are planning to expand our office park development even further,” Mr Mann said.

Demand in the node was strong, and much of the 20,000m² Clearwater Office Park had been taken by companies including Discovery Health, Old Mutual, Absa Bank and Imperial Air Cargo.

Mario Grobler, owner of the Harcourts OR Tambo estate agency in Kempton Park, said last week that developers, businessmen and large companies were already targeting real estate around the airport.

New demand for office space in Kempton Park had seen office park and other commercial developments revived, after little activity during the recession, Mr Grobler said.