Bruma has been a popular suburb for more than 20 years with its main claim to fame previously being the Bruma Flea Market. “However, in 2012 investors bought the flea market property to build a great new development,” says Leon Breytenbach, National Manager of the Rawson Property Group’s commercial division. “The Johannesburg Development Agency got in on the act too,” he says, “so that by mid-2016 they had cleaned up the Jukskei river and lake, built a smart bridge and encouraged other large developments in the surrounding area, effectively achieving a revitalised Bruma.” There is a lot of new commercial property, mainly in the form of shopping centres, office and apartment blocks.
Location and access
Bruma lies seven and a half kilometres east of the Johannesburg CBD, surrounded by the suburbs of Bedfordview, Parktown, Cyrildene and Kensington. “Pretoria is 57 kilometres away, but Bruma is conveniently located, having the R24, N12 and the Eastern Bypass all within easy reach,” Breytenbach advises. In fact, the R24 will take you directly to OR Tambo International Airport, a distance of about 15 kilometres. Rand and Grand Central private airports are at a distance of 16 kilometres and 28 kilometres respectively. There is access to the Gautrain via Park Station which is less than eight kilometres away, while the Metrobus serves the area on a regular route. There are plans to extend the Bus Rapid Transport routes to include Bruma.
Amenities
Eastgate, one of the largest shopping centres in Johannesburg, is situated in Bedfordview, less than one kilometre from the centre of Bruma. It comprises of over 300 stores ranging from chic boutiques to major supermarket chains, from restaurants to beauty and health outlets. The Asia City Mall was built where the Bruma Lake Flea Market previously stood. It also has about 300 stores, including several restaurants, all with a distinctly Asian flavour. The first phase of this development was so successful that a second phase may soon be in the pipeline. Many of the flea market traders have relocated to Oppenheimer Street, continuing the tourist attraction for which Bruma is famous.
Hospitals in the surrounding suburbs cater for the Bruma area too, though there are medical and dental practitioners in the suburb. There are gyms, health or beauty facilities entertainment, lifestyle outlets; in fact all possible needs may be conveniently met in close proximity, if not in Bruma, then nearby. “The revamp of the picnic grounds around the lake allows residents to enjoy the great outdoors, be it for walks or to have a braai,” Breytenbach suggests. The suburb offers several pre-schools, early childcare facilities, while Queens High School, now 75 years old, is a multicultural facility within the area. Primary schooling is available in Eastgate, Kensington or Cyrildene. Kids World provides a playground where parents may leave their children while shopping or join the kids in play. The Courtyard Hotel has undergone a recent revamp, demonstrating confidence in the revitalised area. Several other hotels, guest lodges or B&Bs are available in the vicinity.
Commercial facts and figures
Many well-known companies such as PG Glass, Gilbarco AFS, ATNS, Jack’s Paints, Bruma Finance and Trudon have located their head offices here, as has the Railway Safety Regulator, on the corner of Waterview Street. The Bruma Lake Office Park, Lakeside Place in addition to Eastgate Office Park offer excellent space for prospective rentals
According to the SAPOA Report for April 2017, Bruma currently possesses a total of 105 865 square metres of office space, of which 70 083 square metres comprises A grade space, 33 322 square metres of B grade while C grade comprises of just 2 460 square metres. However, only 4 892 square metres of A grade, 7 991 of B grade and 209 of C grade space remain available for leasing. “The vacancy average has stabilised at 8.5% for the past six months, though it looked rather high nine months ago when the new developments were either not fully occupied or still under construction,” says Breytenbach. The average rental remains fairly affordable at R95 per square metre for A grade offices, while B grade will cost R87 and C grade R75 per square metre. There are currently no approved developments which are not yet in the market.
The revamped and rejuvenated Bruma is a commercial hub worth keeping an eye on. Opportunities for investment or leasing are good, while the area is both attractive and welcoming.
