While current trading conditions in the commercial property market are still skewed in favour of buyers, prime-located, sound investment opportunities which present meaningful returns in the immediate and medium term are not always easy to come by, says David Murphy, head of commercial property for BidX1, South Africa’s leading digital property marketplace.
“Two exceptional, strategically situated commercial property investment opportunities have become available for purchase in Midrand, Johannesburg, which we are marketing via online private treaty in collaboration with Jones Lang Lasalle (JLL) South Africa.
“Centrally positioned virtually mid-way between Johannesburg and Pretoria CBDs and straddling the N1, the burgeoning Midrand industrial and business hub is home to large-scale industries, making it an ideal investment destination”, says Murphy. Midrand is also home to renowned retail centres such as Mall of Africa, Waterfall Corner and San Ridge Squares which cater for various suburban areas including Waterfall, Randjespark, Noordwyk and Vorna Valley.
The first property is a sizeable corporate office headquarters well positioned in a prime location fronting the N1 highway, providing excellent, unobstructed exposure to the motorway and easy access to the Allandale Road and New Road interchanges.
“Coincidentally, it is on the opposite side of the N1 to a landmark commercial property comprising open-plan office and warehousing which we sold in July this year.”
Well-maintained, the corporate HQ property is in very good condition and occupied on a triple net lease which expires in May 2025 by a blue-chip tenant, Jasco Trading, a smart technology and solutions business which is a subsidiary of JSE-listed Jasco Electronic Holdings Limited.
Marketed with a guide price of R75 million, the net annual income is approximately R10.2 million with rent escalating at 6% per annum.
Fully-fenced and secure with a boom and security guard house, the property is close to Midrand Gautrain Station as well as local amenities such as Gallagher Convention Centre and a broad range of educational and technology businesses.
Set on an erf of 19 827sqm, the property comprises 6 340sqm with 303 parking bays. It consists of three floors of access-controlled open plan and individual office space, numerous boardrooms, a data centre, balconies, atrium, 50-seat auditorium, six walk-in strong rooms, kitchenettes, coffee shop, restrooms and indoor and outdoor entertainment area overlooking manicured gardens. The ground floor accommodation incorporates a warehouse measuring 761sqm serviced by loading bays. There is also ground floor storage space accessible to the loading bays.
The second investment opportunity in Midrand comprises a portfolio of properties in the 2.52ha Midpark Industrial Park, a well-located mini and midi industrial park with high visibility on 16th Street, Randjespark, with convenient access to the N1 via New Road and Olifantsfontein Road. Ample public transport in the area includes the Midrand Gautrain Station only 4km away.
Says Murphy: “With a net annual income for 2019 of R8 356 682, anchored by blue-chip tenants and underpinned by strong covenants and rental guarantees, the well-maintained, A-grade industrial space available for purchase comprises eight sections (4-11) with a total GLA of 11 563sqm across multiple buildings. The guide price is R70 million, again being sold via private treaty, and the buildings include shutter doors, sealed warehouse floors, high bay lighting, insulated roofs, offices, restrooms and 3 phase power.”
This portfolio includes 67 parking bays with entry into the property via a security guard house.
Explaining the private treaty buying process for these properties, Murphy says buyers register on BidX1's platform, and after a clear and detailed analysis of the interest generated, buyers are invited to place offers via a virtual room.
“Naturally buyers have access to all the necessary information on the property as well as a personal viewing via one of our specialist brokers.”
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