Epping and Elsie’s River Industrial were declared industrial areas in the early to mid-nineteen hundreds, due to their excellent location. “The completion of the Athlone Power Station in the early 1960’s ensured adequate power, allowing the area to develop exponentially, so that Epping is currently the largest industrial suburb in greater Cape Town,” explains Leon Breytenbach, National Manager of the Rawson Property Group’s commercial division
Location and access
Epping is flanked by Jakes Gerwel Drive or the M7 which runs in a north-south direction, intersecting the N1 north of Epping, as well as the N2 to the south. The grid-formation suburban road infrastructure allows ready access to all areas. Elsie’s River is bounded by Halt Road, Epping Road, the R102 along with the M12.
Cape Town International Airport lies less than nine kilometres from Epping while the harbour is 17 kilometres away. Cape Town city centre lies at a distance of about 15 kilometres. “The main railway line runs along the southern border of Epping, having convenient stations at Langa or Bonteheuwel,” says Breytenbach . The Elsie’s River Halt is situated close to Halt Road, making rail travel effective there, too. As always, minibus taxis are readily available.
Commercial property
Epping, comprising of Epping Industrial I, II and III, offers excellent industrial investment property. Rentals remain fairly stable yet affordable, while property investment returns provide steady increases. Currently some tracts of undeveloped land are available to investors. The following rental prices have been estimated according to prominent online property portals. The rental per square metre at the lower end of the scale ranges from R30 to R45, while mid-level rentals cost from R45 to R60. The upper level costs in the region of R60 to R80 per square metre.
Many eminent companies such as Green Cross, Glaxo Smith Kline, Coricraft, or SBH Cotton Mills are situated in Epping, while Elsie’s River hosts such firms as Messaris Foods, Ultimate Plastics, Granite Connection plus Deslee Mattex Textiles, to name a few. A number of firms, including OK Foods, Deli Spices, Manpower, plus Friendly Seven Eleven, have established their head offices in Epping, as have Magnador or Romatex Home Textiles, among others, in Elsie’s River. Factory shops abound; a few of which include Woolworths, Truworths, Naartjie, as well as Jordan & Co. Industrial business parks such as Western Province Park or Central Park have been established in the area. The Cape Town fresh produce market has been located in Epping I for many years.
“The Epping Community Improvement District or ECID, along with the Community Improvement District in Elsie’s River, to which all property owners contribute, have brought about a great improvement in the road maintenance, security, cleaning, as well as traffic management in both areas,” explains Breytenbach.
Amenities
“Accommodation, shopping malls, entertainment, besides many other amenities, are available in the surrounding suburbs,” explains Breytenbach. Elsie’s River residential area boasts a number of primary as well as secondary schools. Medical institutions are represented by Elsie’s River Clinic, Community Health Centre, Elsie’s River Day Hospital or Elsie’s River Midwife and Obstetric Unit. For nature lovers, Tygerberg Nature Reserve is a mere 14 kilometres away, while Table Mountain Nature Reserve lies 21 kilometres distant.
The properties in Epping and Elsie’s River are sought after due to their convenient location, affordable rentals in addition to profitable returns on investments. “Although prices will escalate at a similar pace to other areas, the Epping - Elsie’s River district remains excellent value for your rand,” advises Breytenbach. Rawson Commercial has offices countrywide and looks forward to assisting you in finding the right property for your purpose. Please contact (021) 658 7100 and we will refer you to your nearest office.
