COMMERCIAL
Altering industry
COMMERCIAL
Dart points out that Cape Town has a severe shortage of rental housing at rates under R8 000 per month with this development filling a critical gap.
In addition to studio, one and two-bedroomed units, 9 Hopkins, which forms a triangle wrapped by Yew, Hopkins, and Aubrey Streets, will offer 930m2 of retail space, a clubhouse, gym, co-working area, and a communal terrace.
Altering industry
“ Despite a tough macroeconomic backdrop, we have seen commercial property transactions recovering selectively, with activity concentrated in defensive asset classes, prime nodes, and opportunistic plays. Industrial and logistics properties are top performers with rising rentals and near-zero vacancies in core nodes,”
At the same time, industrial properties, such as warehouses and last-mile delivery hubs, are experiencing increased demand as the e-commerce sector grows, particularly in underserved areas like townships and rural regions.
Dart says there are also opportunities for older industrial structures to be deconstructed and revitalised to serve logistics and freight businesses in prime locations. Older factories are not suitable for the large trucks of today whilst many did not have much needed off street parking. Large older buildings can also be sectionalised to accommodate numerous small businesses offering sought after modern amenities and security.
“ Many sellers and buyers across the country are using the auction platform for a quick, transparent exit at market value. The flip side of the coin is that private sector investors can access key properties in prime locations. In areas such as Cape Town, various CBD’ s and the South Durban basin close to the Durban port where development land is in short supply and greenfields projects are unlikely, this creates opportunities for upgrades and new builds,” he concludes.
30 REI MAGAZINE JULY 2025