Johannesburg-based Krisp Properties boosted its portfolio in 2013 despite challenging economic conditions and was looking forward to even better growth in 2014, Krisp executive director Jordan Mann said.

During the year, Krisp’s portfolio improved owing to the increased interest in Johannesburg’s planned OR Tambo Aerotropolis, with high-profile companies such as Michelin SA moving its headquarters to Krisp’s R500-million Clearwater Office Park across the road from the aerotropolis.

The implementation of e-tolls in Johannesburg had also seen the company’s planned 9 000 m² neighbourhood shopping centre and 114 residential unit development along the R55 – a popular new alternate route for motorists avoiding e-tolling – substantially gain in value.

Krisp was also the latest high-end developer to invest in the increasingly sought-after light industrial space between Johannesburg and Pretoria, which had seen a host of established companies flocking to a new light industrial hub in Olifantsfontein.

Owing to the high demand for industrial space, Mann said, Krisp was developing a gated industrial estate in the area. The company was in the advanced stages of developing the Olifantsfontein Industrial Park along Olifantsfontein road.

“We have found that there is increasing demand for top-class developments whose locations have been carefully plotted. We pay careful attention to where we position our developments,” Mann said.

Meanwhile, in Cape Town, Krisp’s 5 000 m² pedestrian shopping centre alongside Langa train station also received the green light earlier this year.

“The railway has been upgraded and is in fact a first world station, [and] Langa Junction is a very nice fit for the station,” said Mann, adding that he hoped to have the centre completed by the second half of next year.

“Given the strong demand for our developments this year, we are [expecting] solid growth during 2014 as the construction industry begins to recover along with the economy, and as many of our developments begin to come to fruition,” said Mann.