Mount Edgecombe in KwaZulu-Natal attracting Industrial users

Alan Dryburgh (left),Regional broker manager for JHI Properties and Kevin White, chief financial officer for Autovest, seen in Capital Park, Mount Edgecombe, at the new premises for Auto Enhance fitment centre.

As the growth node north of Durban continues to increase in popularity among homeowners and the business sector alike, the area of Mount Edgecombe is coming alive, with the demand for industrial space gathering momentum.

Alan Dryburgh, regional broker manager at JHI Properties, concluded a five year lease for approximately 2 200sqm of industrial space in Capital Park on behalf of Autovest, for its flagship Auto Enhance fitment centre.

Capital Park is a brand new mini-warehouse development strategically well positioned in Mount Edgecombe, within easy reach of King Shaka International Airport as well as major transport routes in and around the city of Durban. Located on the R102 Capital Park is close to Mount Edgecombe Plaza and the Whitehouse shopping centre, and strategically only a few kilometres from Gateway shopping centre and Umhlanga’s ‘Motor Town’.

Comments Dryburgh: “Autovest have taken a five year lease with a five year renewal for approximately 2 000sqm of workshop and warehouse space and 200sqm of office space, including a reception area. This has enabled them to conveniently incorporate all their brands under one roof, with the aim of providing a one-stop vehicle accessory fitment centre offering a broad range of automotive accessories.” These brands include Bucco Canopies, SA Canopy, Carryboy, Rhino Linings, Securi-Lids, Kilber bull bars and roll bars, StarTrek towbars and Auto Armor vehicle protection products.

Auto Enhance is a new franchised concept recently launched by the Autovest group, which is being rolled out nationally via the group’s existing 140 franchised fitment centres.

Says Kevin White, Autovest chief financial officer: “A priority for Auto Enhance is being in close proximity to its primary market, being the motor dealerships. For this reason we chose Capital Park with its easy access to Umhlanga dealerships and also the N2 and M4 which provide routes to dealerships to the north and south.”

The demand for industrial space in the area is mainly from large users in the size range from 20 000 to 50 000sqm who are seeking warehousing space in good locations.

“With the Riverhorse Valley development having been successfully received by the marketplace, we are experiencing a pent-up demand for industrial space in the Mount Edgecombe area in general. There is also a demand among smaller users, being owner-occupiers, for space from about 2 000 to 3 000sqm. Helping to meet the demand for industrial space in the area is the soon to be launched Cornubia Industrial and Business Estate, adjacent to Ottawa and only about 5km from Umhlanga Town Centre. Various other developments are developed or soon to be developed in the Ballito area to cater for expanding demand,” adds Dryburgh.