Growthpoint Properties (JSE: GRT) has retained Beckman Coulter as a long-term tenant in a bespoke new building that supports the healthcare company in achieving its business vision and goals, as well as promoting operational and cost efficiencies.
Growthpoint has assisted long-standing tenant Beckman Coulter to relocate from Growthpoint Business Park in Midrand, Johannesburg, to a new tailor-made 5,750sqm premises in the conveniently-located nearby Centralpoint Innovation District in Samrand, Johannesburg.
Growthpoint’s development team commenced the nine-month project in March 2021 and completed it in December 2021. The development represents a R60m investment by Growthpoint and the new facility will become part of its industrial property portfolio with Beckman Coulter on a long lease.
Beckman Coulter develops and manufactures solutions for the diagnostics and life sciences industries. Its new building combines laboratory, warehouse and distribution space with a 2,400sqm head office.
“We are pleased to extend our relationship with Beckman Coulter. With its new custom-built building, Beckman Coulter has realised significant economies of scale and will reap the tremendous benefits of operating in a more functional facility. It has also ensured an attractive, modern working environment with a clean, crisp, contemporary design and the precinct’s beautiful, landscaped gardens,” says Errol Taylor, Head of Asset Management: Industrial at Growthpoint.
Centralpoint also offers Beckman Coulter the advantages of security, power availability, diverse fibre connectivity and a well-maintained public precinct managed by a dedicated property owners’ association.
As is Growthpoint’s way, the new facility is designed with the environment in mind and features ample natural light, LED lighting and energy-efficient air conditioning. The building harvests rainwater for its landscaping and is spec’d to include a reinforced roof structure that can accommodate the weight of solar panels. Its fit-for-purpose freezer and cold room, critical considerations for Beckman Coulter, use the latest environmentally-friendly cooling systems and perform according to leading international standards.
The new Beckman Coulter head office is well served by parking, and its distribution facility is complemented by a good-sized yard to accommodate logistics traffic. Staff, guests and logistics benefit from its prime location. Centralpoint is conveniently situated right off the N1 Samrand off-ramp between Johannesburg and Pretoria, with easy access to the east and west of Johannesburg and Pretoria. It enjoys superb highway access to the N1 North and South, and N14, easy connection to the R21 en route to OR Tambo via Olifantsfontein Road and is well served by public transport.
“As an innovative business Beckman Coulter is an ideal fit for the area, which is characterised by a noteworthy concentration of high-tech companies,” notes Taylor.
Beckman Coulter joins the five other developments in Growthpoint’s Centralpoint Innovation District development, which responds to the demand for quality, efficient, high-tech, logistics, warehousing and data centre facilities in great locations.
Growthpoint recently completed the turnkey data centre development of NTT Johannesburg 1 Data Centre at Centralpoint Innovation District, on behalf of NTT Ltd. Group, the world-leading global technology services provider, represented in Africa and the Middle East by Dimension Data, the South African systems integrator and managed services provider. NTT Johannesburg 1 Data Centre is due to launch in April 2022. Other developments in the precinct include the 10,000sqm Bakers SA Limited’s warehouse and distribution facility and regional offices, and the 27,000sqm Sterling Industrial Park.
“The new Beckman Coulter building extends Growthpoint’s track record of providing innovative and sustainable property solutions, whether these properties are held in our own portfolios or acquired by tenant-owners and other third parties,” says Taylor. Growthpoint has become a South African leader in developing signature buildings tailored to leading local and multinational brands and businesses’ exacting requirements, and has readied several more plug-and-play development sites for the roll-out of Centralpoint Innovation District.
Growthpoint makes space to thrive in environmentally friendly buildings while improving the social and material wellbeing of individuals and communities. It is invested in real estate and communities across South Africa, Africa, Australia, the UK and Eastern Europe. Growthpoint is 50% co-owner of the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.
