Office Space | Demand Growing
The recent release of the SAPOA Office Space Vacancy Survey for the first three quarters of 2011 shows a modest vacancy growth. However, the vacancy growth pattern in the "A" grade office space category has reduced when compared with the previous year. In this sector, the vacancy rate has reduced by 0.4% since the first quarter 2011 and now stands at 8.0%
The "B" sector appears to have taken the largest knock, showing increased vacancy statistics.
The "C" sector has strengthened substantially in that vacancy statistics have shown a decrease. Stock in the sector has also shown a decrease, mainly attributable to owners refurbishing in order to attract "A" sector clients.
This pattern is indicative that prime office space is still attracting the bulk of the market. This fact, together with the move to upgrade existing office space, appears to indicate that property owners are expecting the demand for prime office space to continue.
Although there are substantial committed development investments in the office space market (some 540 000 square meters have been approved in the past 12 months) the vacancy rate still appears to be a retarding factor to investment.
Lukesh Govender, head of FNB Commercial Property Finance has recently said: "Current market conditions can still be seen as an opportunity. However, high vacancy rates need to show a pattern of sustained improvement before we see additional investment activity. I believe we are seeing the beginning of a turning point from a national viewpoint"

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