Ballito Updates

The industrial focus in Durban has more recently been to the south of King Shaka International Airport and more particularly around the Riverhorse Valley and Springfield Park areas. Our colleagues in Durban however tell us they are running out of stock of available large warehousing and we believe things are about to change with the launch of Ballito Services Park North, the first serious option for light industrial and warehousing north of the airport.

Ballito Services Park North comes on stream in November providing nine serviced platforms covering a total of 18.5 hectares. The park is located on the western side of the N2, with easy access from the new freeway interchange in the vicinity of the Caledon Hotel and Residential Estate.

It’s by no means the first tract of industrial land to come on stream, but it is the first to be marketed vigorously as a contained fully serviced park, under a single banner, offering a wide variety of options for investors, end-users, tenants and developers.

What I like about the park is its focus on ecology and environmental considerations. A full environmental impact study has ensured the preservation of the wetlands and the establishment of small dams and planting to attract bird life, particularly our raptors. In fact the identity of the park centres on fish eagle imagery. Its close proximity to residential areas also facilitates the supply of both managerial staff and a wider labour force.

Flexibility is an additional draw-card as the park’s multi-use infrastructure caters for a cross section of facilities from 100 to 20 000 square metre premises for distribution, warehousing, workshops, factory outlets, wholesalers, show-rooms and mini factories.

The general talk in the market is that the timing is good in view of the growing shortage of serviced commercial and industrial land. Equally as important is that this development is scheduled to come on stream at affordable rates thereby adding to the attraction for businesses looking north for new opportunities.

Land prices in Ballito Services Park North will range from R 700.00 to R 1,200.00 per m² whereas comparative sites in Umhlanga and Riverhorse Valley go for R 1,800.00 to R 3,000.00 per m².

Research shows that there are only 112 vacant serviced commercial and industrial sites spread between Ballito Business Park, Ballito Services Park and Imbonini and proclaimed northern business land will soon be hard to obtain due to the restrictions on available water and power supply.

Ballito Services Park North offers flexibility in terms of a wide range of options such as land to buy, ready-built facilities, build to spec, sectional title schemes and turnkey development. Developers believe that the park’s accessibility and location alongside the N2 freeway is another plus in terms of good visibility and branding opportunities.

All in all - combined with the magnificent sea side and healthy living conditions the development ensures the sustainability of Ballito as a very HOT place to be.