Airports worldwide require large tracts of vacant land surrounding them in order to protect proximate residential areas from extreme aircraft noise. Building height restrictions as well as the effect of air traffic on neighbouring highways is another reason for buffer land. “The need for industrial property, particularly for sufficient warehousing adjacent to airports became apparent. However, vast tracts of valuable land ripe for development of a less noise-sensitive nature were available within the airport environs,” says Leon Breytenbach, National Manager of the Rawson Property Group’s commercial division. Cape Town International Airport was one such entity, giving rise to Airport Industria
Location and access
Airport Industria is located in the heart of metropolitan Cape Town. It is surrounded by suburbs which include Montevideo, Nooitgedacht, Guguletu, Nyanga, plus Crossroads. “There are several major roads in the vicinity, allowing easy access to or from all compass points,” explains Breytenbach. The N2 motorway runs just south of the area while the M12 flanks the northern boundary. The R300 lies to the west with the R102 forming the eastern boundary. The harbour is slightly more than 20 kilometres from Airport Industria, with Cape Town CBD at a distance of about 18 kilometres.
Industrial property
Among the leading companies located in Airport Industria are Caltex, Avis, Tacoma Foods, Total, Pro Spec Auto Tools, Cargo Logistics, Kimix Chemical and Lab Supplies, Superlube, Boland Express Couriers, Rhino Marine Products as well as C-Pack Packaging Solutions. The Motor Vehicle Registration Centre and the Western Province Blood Transfusion Services are also located in the area. CTX Business Park, a high end facility designed specifically with freight and logistics in mind, is one of several modern business or industrial park facilities available to firms looking for exceptional premises.
“Security has been of prime importance from the beginning, with particular emphasis being given to CCTV as well as access control,” says Breytenbach. The Community Improvement District or CID membership is open to all property owners. They are encouraged to be cognisant of, as well as participate in every aspect of security, upkeep, or maintenance.
Airport Industria does not appear in the SAPOA Report, so no figures are available regarding vacancy levels, but average rentals have been estimated according to prominent online property portals. Rentals per square metre at the lower end of the scale range from R40 to R60, with mid-level rentals costing from R60 to R70 per square metre. The upper level premises will cost in the region of R70 to R85 per square metre.
Amenities
“The adjacent airport offers access to coffee shops, restaurants or filling stations, but ample opportunities for shopping, eating out or services such as motor repairs are available in the surrounding suburbs,” advises Breytenbach. Due to Airport Industria’s convenient location, all manner of entertainment may be accessed within a reasonable distance, from wine tasting to beaches, cinemas to theatres, nature reserves to golf courses.
The Red Cross Air Mercy Service offers medical as well as dental assistance at the airport. However, the closest hospital is GF Jooste Hospital in Guguletu, while Tygerberg Hospital is a mere 11 kilometres away. Several schools are available in Guguletu as well as other neighbouring suburbs.
“Accessibility to the airport, harbour or City Bowl, excellent road infrastructure, modern industrial parks plus realistic rentals make Airport Industria the pick of the crop, whether you are establishing a new industrial business or relocating an existing company,” declares Breytenbach.
