JSE-listed Attacq has earned a strong reputation as a diversified landlord that nurtures long-term relationships with its clients. Through a blend of expertise and strategic asset management, the group continues to enhance communities while delivering sustainable returns to stakeholders. Among its diverse property portfolio, Attacq’s logistics hubs have become stand-out assets, purpose-built to meet the needs of modern businesses in an evolving economy.
Since listing in 2014, Attacq has developed and managed high-end properties that offer more than just physical space. Its logistics hubs combine sophisticated design, sustainable features, and access to prime transport routes, creating environments where clients can operate efficiently and securely. The company also owns premium land, enabling the development of bespoke properties for businesses with specific operational requirements.
The choice for clients
Attacq’s development executive, David Oosthuizen, says the group’s success lies in its relationships. “Attacq has been diversified from inception, and our strategy remains focused on owning and managing high-quality properties. We owe much of our success to the value we place on long-term partnerships with our clients. Each category of our assets contributes to the success of both our clients and shareholders, including our logistics hubs which have evolved in response to sustained demand,” he explains.
The rise of e-commerce has transformed logistics real estate globally, as retailers strive to shorten delivery times and protect the integrity of their goods. Attacq’s logistics hubs cater precisely to this environment combining security, accessibility, and sustainability. They provide clients with tailored facilities that meet operational demands while aligning with modern sustainability standards.
Waterfall City Midi Units
One of these is the Midi Units, on Waterfall City Logistics Precinct, a prime logistics hub within Waterfall City. Comprising three modern facilities ranging from 4,400m² to 5,319m², the complex has been designed to optimise functionality and efficiency. True to Attacq’s sustainability commitment, the development incorporates energy-efficient LED lighting, low-flow sanitary fittings for water conservation, performance glass that minimises heating and cooling requirements, and paints with low volatile organic compounds for better air quality. The structure also uses recycled steel in its reinforced concrete and features roofs pre-designed for solar panels. A five-day backup water supply adds resilience, while systems such as dual-flush toilets and rainwater harvesting further enhance its environmental credentials.
Waterfall City Junction,
Another flagship hub is a joint venture between Sanlam Properties and the Attacq Waterfall Investment Company (AWIC), a subsidiary of Attacq. Located at the intersection of Allandale Road, the K60 and the K113, a new major north south arterialthe total precinct spans approx. 1.5 million m2 and caters for circa 600 000m2 of developable bulk.² The development covers 627,582 m² and is envisioned as a secure, environmentally sustainable logistics precinct. Once complete, it will comprise six phases.
The speculative build is currently underway, while the 16,000 m² tenant-driven development is in its final planning stage. The precinct’s design includes advanced circulation areas, high eave clearances, and both insulated and refrigerated sections. Sustainability remains central, with solar readiness, rainwater harvesting, and smart metering for water and energy management. Due to the success of past logistics developments at Waterfall, Attacq is proactively installing infrastructure across the first four phases, ensuring readiness for future growth and seamless development rollout.
Waterfall City Junction exemplifies Attacq’s ambition to create long-term value through well-positioned and future-ready developments. The full precinct, once completed, is expected to be worth around R7.5 billion, with 50,000m² of new space rolled out annually. The site’s proximity to major arterial routes such as the N1, K113, K60 and Allandale Road ensures excellent connectivity across Gauteng, making it a sought-after address for leading brands.
Vantage Data Centres and other clients
Attacq’s logistics portfolio also includes developments like the 80MW campus for Vantage Data Centres, a global provider of hyperscale facilities. This project represents Vantage’s entry into Africa, with a campus spanning 12 hectares and designed to accommodate future growth in data capacity. The joint venture reflects Attacq’s ability to partner with global leaders and deliver complex, high-specification developments that meet stringent operational standards.
Over the years, Attacq has also built bespoke distribution centres for clients such as BMW, Cotton On, Massbuild and Amrod. Their strategic location within Waterfall City allows them to operate seamlessly while accessing surrounding office and retail precincts. “We’ve created a centre of gravity for logistics,” Oosthuizen notes. “By partnering with us, companies gain a base that connects them directly to Gauteng’s commercial heart.”
The choice for investors
Chief Executive Officer Jackie van Niekerk says Attacq recognised early on that logistics real estate offered a compelling long-term investment case. “Fifteen years ago, warehousing was viewed as a secondary asset class. That has changed completely. The quality of these facilities has improved significantly, and landlords are now able to support clients who handle much higher volumes with far greater efficiency,” she says.
Van Niekerk adds that the shift to e-commerce during the pandemic accelerated demand for sophisticated logistics spaces. “We’re seeing sustained growth in this segment as businesses adapt to modern consumer expectations. Well-located, sustainable logistics hubs are central to that transformation.”
This strength is reflected in Attacq’s latest financial results. For the year ending June 2025, the logistics hub portfolio grew 4.7% on a like-for-like valuation basis, with an occupancy rate of 86.4%. Leases recorded positive rental reversions of 4.8% and an escalation rate of 7%, supported by a weighted average lease expiry of just over five years. Out of Attacq’s total R23 billion asset base, R1.6 billion is attributed to logistics properties, a segment poised for continued expansion.
Future Developments
Looking ahead, Attacq is developing a speculative warehouse on Waterfall City Junction, with a gross lettable area of 22,142m². Designed with flexibility in mind, the warehouse will include a collaborative hub component, a solar-ready design, and five days of backup water. It will also feature 13.5m eave heights and 40m yards, catering to businesses that require adaptable, high-performance logistics space. Valued at R262.1 million, this project reflects Attacq’s ability to provide scarce, high-demand stock to clients seeking shorter lead times.
Attacq continues to identify new opportunities within the greater Waterfall City precinct as surrounding infrastructure expands. Projects such as the proposed east-west Gautrain extension promise to enhance accessibility further, strengthening the precinct‘s position as one of Gauteng’s most connected business zones.
For van Niekerk, the vision is clear. “We are focused on owning, controlling and managing our precincts for the long term so that we can continue to deliver value to our clients, shareholders and the communities we serve,” she says. “The potential of logistics real estate in South Africa is only beginning to unfold, and we intend to be at the forefront of that growth.”