Norbert Sasse, CEO of Growthpoint Properties says, “This acquisition has secured strategic stakes for Growthpoint in Acucap and Sycom, which are in the process of a proposed merger. As a major investor in both entities

Growthpoint Properties acquires stakes in Acucap and Sycom

Growthpoint Properties today announced it has acquired a 34.9% stake in Acucap Properties and a 31.5% stake in Sycom Property Fund, in a substantial R4,66 billion transaction.... Full story

SA Green Building Council hits milestone following 50th green building certification

The South African Green Building Council (GBCSA) on Thursday last week hailed the commitment shown by the commercial property sector and that the green building movement has gained significant momentum with the achievement of 50 Green Star SA certifications in only six years.... Full story

Shanghai Zendai unveils R84bn landmark development plans for Modderfontein

Hong Kong listed Shanghai Zendai on Wednesday revealed ambitious plans to create a new city centre, with the recently acquired 1600ha of land in Modderfontein north-eastern Johannesburg.... Full story

Calls for reform as South Africa’s infrastructure programme faces setbacks

The head of Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC), CEO Ketso Gordhan called for a reform of South Africa’s infrastructure procurement processes and proposed the creation of professional oversight bodies to fast-track infrastructure projects.... Full story

Top News Headlines

South African-born hotel magnate Sol Kerzner developed some of the country’s top hotel brands: first Southern Sun and Sun International, and then the projects that catapulted him into the league of hotel tycoon, Sun City and The Palace of the Lost City.

Sun City boss and bilionnaire real estate tycoon Sol Kerzner quits, but not retire

South African-born hotel magnate Sol Kerzner is not retiring, even though the 78-year-old hotel magnate has sold out of the group that made him a global powerhouse and spawned some of the world’s best-recognised hospitality brands. ... Full story

Property Investment >>

Given the poor performance of local listed property stocks in 2013, South African investors have been offered opportunities to look for offshore investments.

SA listed property looks offshore

Given the poor performance of local listed property stocks last year, South African investors have been offered opportunities to look for offshore investments.... Full story

Construction / Developments >>

Testifying at the Tongaat Mall Commission of Inquiry, Siyabonga Zuma said that, on the day of the disaster, a column at the neck of a beam “exploded” and, within seconds, “everything fell down”.

Haste led to Tongaat Mall collapse

A worker on the construction of the Tongaat Mall, which collapsed on November 19 killing two people and injuring 29, said that haste led to the tragedy at the site near Durban. ... Full story

Green Building / Environmental >>

Bruce Kerswill, Executive Chairman of the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) and the pioneer who led the charge in the formation of the local Council, has been appointed as the Chairman of the World Green Building Council (World GBC).

World Green Building Council appoints SA Green Leader as new Chair

World Green Building Council (World GBC) announced on Tuesday that Bruce Kerswill, Executive Chairman of the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA), has been appointed as the new Chairman.... Full story

Leasing and Ownership >>

Investec Property Fund CEO Sam Leon says the properties which represent close to 50% by value of the total acquisition price of R857 million are located in the absolute core of the Bryanston node. FILE PHOTO: Nicol Main in Bryanston.

Investec Property Fund acquisitions hit R857m

JSE-listed property group Investec Property Fund has increased its interest to 100% in two major office portfolio acquisitions, namely the Nicol Main and the RPP portfolios announced late last year. ... Full story

Property Finance >>

Iveco South Africa (Pty) Ltd has boosted its financial resources for development and refurbishment of a motor vehicle manufacturing facility in Rosslyn, Pretoria, through a R230 million loan from Nedbank Corporate Property Finance.

Iveco South Africa gets R230m loan boost from Nedbank

Global vehicle manufacturer, Iveco South Africa (Pty) Ltd has boosted its financial resources for development and refurbishment of a motor vehicle manufacturing facility in Rosslyn, Pretoria, through a R230 million loan from Nedbank Corporate Property Finance.... Full story

Infrastructure / Urban Planning >>

Speaking at the official opening of the SA Nuclear Energy Corporation’s Radiation Protection Training Centre, Minister Davies said there were many applications for nuclear energy, which presented great opportunities for industry to prosper..

Nuclear technology a boon for industry development

Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies has encouraged South African industry to make use of nuclear technology in order to stay competitive and innovative.... Full story

Legal and Policy >>

The expenditure incurred by the State, including buildings constructed by the Department of Public Works at the request of the SAPS and the Department of Defence, went beyond what was reasonably required for President Zuma's Nkandla residence.

Public Works violated SA's Constitution on Nkandla says Madonsela

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela delivered her report on President Jacob Zuma's Nkandla residence, saying him and his family unduly benefited from the upgrades made by an estimated R246 million.... Full story

Technology in Property >>

A new study shows that, once again, South Africans are latching onto a technological advancement quicker and social media playing vital role to retailers and consumers.

Bringing Social Media into the Retail environment

A new study by SA Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) shows that, once again, South Africans are latching onto a technological advancement quicker and social media playing vital role to retailers and consumers.... Full story

Office Property >>

Office demand is focused on space within walking distance of Gautrain stations.

Gautrain and traffic congestion a fillip for Joburg’s Northern office nodes

Gautrain rapid rail network is drawing interest in commercial property investment as well as new developments around the station precincts, notably in Johannesburg’s prime northern nodes of Bryanston, Rosebank, Sandton and Midrand.... Full story

Retail Property >>

Artist’s rendering Bela Mall convenience shopping centre in Bela-Bela, Limpopo being developed by Atterbury together with Shoprite Checkers and local developer 2020 developments.

New ‪Shopping‬ Mall destined for Limpopo’s Bela-Bela

Atterbury together with Shoprite Checkers and local developer 2020 developments are developing the new Bela Mall, which will bring shopping and dining to the town of Bela-Bela in Limpopo when it opens on 23 October 2014.... Full story

Industrial Property >>

Artist perspective of Tangawizi Motors at John Ross Eco Junction. The facility will accommodate four motor dealership brands namely Hyundai, Daihatsu, Renault and Honda.

John Ross Eco Junction grows apace with first new development

John Ross Eco Junction, a commercial industrial development grows apace with first new facility for Tangawizi Motors to accommodate four motor dealership brands namely Hyundai, Daihatsu, Renault and Honda.... Full story

Leisure and Hospitality >>

The whole rationale behind this is Tsogo’s continued strategy that we like to own the properties that we manage, said Tsogo Sun CEO Marcel von Aulock

Tsogo Sun intents to acquire properties it manages

Tsogo Sun (TSH) has continued its drive to own the hotels it manages‚ having increased its stake in the bulked-up Cullinan Hotel joint venture with Liberty Group (LBH) for a net cost of R760m.... Full story

Gauteng >>

Johannesburg’s Rosebank on the rise

The construction of the Gautrain station, major commercial property and transport developments in Rosebank are among exciting projects that have turned the node into a unique, vibrant and cosmopolitan hub.... Full story

Western Cape >>

Cape Town Govt keen to dispose prime sites

The Western Cape government is considering selling off four of its prime properties, including parts of the Somerset Hospital precinct next to the V&A Waterfront. ... Full story

KwaZulu-Natal >>

Finance MEC Ina Cronje met the local business sector in Nongoma, where she announced that the provincial treasury had injected R4 million to assist the KwaZulu-Natal town with experts in infrastructure development.

Nongoma town in KwaZulu-Natal gets R4m

The KwaZulu-Natal Finance Department has injected R4 million to assist with infrastructure development in the dilapidating Nongoma town.... Full story

Africa Property News >>

Belinda Clur, a Cape Town-based member of both the North American and European research groups, has accepted the ICSC invitation to launch and chair the African research group.

International Council of Shopping Centers seeks African growth

NEW YORK – The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), on Tuesday announced that it is had launched an African research group to help its membership tap into the economic growth potential across the continent.... Full story

International Property News >>

Capco investment director Gary Yardley said: “The project has real momentum and this decision signals another major milestone in delivering the vision for Earls Court.

Capco’s Earls Court Village proposals approved

Capital & Counties Properties (CCO‚ Capco) said on Friday last week that its design proposals for Earls Court Village and Empress State Building had been approved.... Full story

Property Market >>

IPD South Africa Executive Director, Stan Garrun says Property fundamentals continue to demonstrate the sector’s advantages, providing investors with consistently robust and diversified returns

SA’s Property Sector maintains a steady growth in 2013

The South African investment property sector maintained modest growth delivering a total return of 15.3% in 2013, the IPD South Africa Annual Property Index, released on Tuesday, showed.... Full story

Economy >>

SA's Reserve Bank Governor, Gill Marcus left interest rates unchanged at 5.5%, saying the economic growth outlook remained subdued although risks to inflation were on the upside.

SARB keeps Repo rate untouched at 5.5%

South Africa's Reserve Bank Governor, Gill Marcus left interest rates unchanged at 5.5 percent, saying the economic growth outlook remained subdued although risks to inflation were on the upside.... Full story

Company News >>

Atlantic Leaf Properties raises R175m

Atlantic Leaf Properties‚ which will list on the JSE’s AltX on Friday‚ said last Friday it had raised R175m (approx. £10m) by issuing 10-million shares at R17.51 a share.... Full story