URBAN GROWTH What We Do

Urban Growth acquires, develops and holds.

Our vision is to build a high quality portfolio of large scale Supply Chain Logistics Industria Properties in South Africa and beyond, with a specific focus on sustainability and clean energy sources.

Three disciplines, one long-term view.

Acquire

  • Source new property investments
  • Calculate financial viabilities
  • Design development solutions
  • Structure debt and equity optimally
  • Manage the deal process to completion
  • Focus on high growth logistics hubs in South Africa and beyond

Develop

  • Source new high growth development opportunities
  • Re-zone land
  • Design and develop strategies for development improvements
  • Lease space
  • Manage professional teams and the construction processes
  • Work closely with financial institutions to optimise development funding
  • Optimise the bulk of the asset
  • Implement solar and generator projects to enhance yield
  • Implement solar solutions that provide clean energy to our tenants
  • Leasing strategy

Hold

  • Asset manage our property portfolio to optimise returns
  • Manage the day-to-day property management processes
  • Maximise the value to the tenant
  • Collect the rent and operational costs
  • Improve all services
  • Monitor expenditure
  • Lease renewals

Partnership-led. Focused. Free from unnecessary complexity.

Our philosophy is based on partnership – we invest alongside our stakeholders. We have a focused investment view, which is executed free from unnecessary complexity. We are long-term active asset managers who rely on our independent investment process. We are not constrained in terms of property selection. We care about leaving a positive legacy!

We have a small and exclusive corporate clientele, and we are able to service our clients personally. Our services are tailored, discreet and confidential, and we keep our affairs clear, concise, focused and uncomplicated.

As innovators, we source appropriate property solutions for our corporate clients – especially solar and generator solutions that ensure our clients can operate at their optimal level. Our directors have led many iconic and flagship property developments within South Africa and India. The Portside Office Tower, the tallest building in Cape Town, is a perfect example of this.

Our primary skill is to optimise the attractiveness of the spaces that are let.

Urban Growth primarily focuses on large scale Supply Chain Logistics Industrial ‘moderate risk’ Properties that generate a solid cash yield and offer strong growth potential mainly within South Africa.

Return vs. Risk

Urban Growth sits squarely in the Value Add band, with target IRRs of 12 – 25% and a meaningful blend of income yield and capital growth.

Core
Value Add
Opportunistic
RISKS
Low Risk
Moderate Risk
High Risk
TARGET RETURNS
5 – 12 % IRR Returns
12 – 25 % IRR Returns
+ 25 % IRR Returns
RETURN COMPOSITION
Income Yield Investment
Income + Capital Growth
Capital Appreciation
HOLDING PERIOD
10+ Years
3-7 Years
5 Years or Fewer
LEVERAGE
Low Gearing < 25%
50-75% Gearing
75-100% Gearing
INVESTMENT PROFILE
Institutional
Value Adding Philosophy
Opportunistic Entrepreneurial
A Grade Buildings
Brownfield Developments
Greenfields Developments
AAA Tenanted
Refurbishments
Expansion Capital
Low Leverage
High Growth Nodes
Low Barriers to Entry

"It is predicted that by 2050, there will be 10 billion people on the planet."

Urbanisation rates are increasing at almost 5% annually, e.g. in Cape Town alone that means an increase of 350 000 economically active people into the city every year (as of 2020).

The drive to an urban renaissance and the building of sustainable towns at the urban edge, are crucial for the continued growth of ever expanding cities. We understand the importance of responsible densification and better use of public assets. As more people have to be accommodated, we will create commercial, industrial, retail and
residential assets to continually fulfill these demands.

“In Urbanisation, you think big because you're thinking decades ahead” - KUSHAL PAL SINGH

Turning Opportunistic and Value-Add opportunities into Core investments.

Urban Growth offers state-of-the-art development systems with the objective of finding the most suitable solution to all property development challenges.

Our expertise lies in finding Opportunistic and Value-Add property investment opportunities, and turning them into Core investments. We specialise in large-scale supply chain logistics and industrial properties.

We maximise the human and investment capital returns above those achieved in the traditional core investment space.

“Risk comes from not knowing what you're doing” - WARREN BUFFETT

Development Track Record

Urban Growth has directly managed the development of many notable properties in South Africa.

“The visionary starts with a clean sheet of paper, and re-imagines the world.”

Malcolm Gladwell

Portside

The Portside Tower, located in the nucleus of Cape Town’s business and entertainment hub boasts as the city’s tallest building and has AAA grade office space to let. This five star Green Star rated Building offers spacious open plan layouts and incomparable views of the harbor, city and mountains. Urban Growth as primary deal maker, performed the concept design and promotion of the building on behalf of its main client – First Rand Group.

Parow Valley Centre

The popular local shopping centre, was successfully revamped in 2016. This major revamp included the acquiring of an adjacent property which was rezoned and consolidated into the main erf. This asset was redeveloped in conjunction with our partners Fairvest Property Fund Ltd. Urban Growth has subsequently acquired the entire property from Fairvest effective 1 October 2021 and sold in October 2022.

Winelands Centre

Urban Growth developed this 3 000m2 Centre. It was the first Shoprite Mini developed as a Greenfields Project in South Africa. A project finished in budget and on deadline. The development centred around the Shoprite and Shoprite Liquor Store, substantially altered the urban fabric of the Klapmuts areas in and around Stellenbosch. This property was sold in 2018.

Macassar Retail Centre

Urban Growth was the driving force behind the acquisition and major revamp of the 6 000m2 Macassar Retail Centre situated in Macassar near Somerset West in the Western Cape. This redevelopment was done in conjunction with our partners Fairvest Property Fund Ltd. This property was sold in July 2021.