New business centres open in Africa
The demand for fully equipped office space is spreading up Africa, leading the Regus Group to open four new centres from the tip of the continent into Kenya and Nigeria.
Purshottam Place, Kenya
This expansion adds over 4 500m² to the company’s national floor plan, at nine locations in South Africa and six locations up into Africa. These new locations join the growing Regus network which has now expanded to 950 locations across 70 countries.
“Regus fully appreciates the dynamics of the emerging markets north of South Africa,” says Joanne Bushell, CEO of Regus sub-Saharan Africa, local subsidiary of the global group. “Fully serviced offices and virtual offices are particularly suited to these markets since they enable international players to concentrate on their core business while getting established.”
Regus, already present in Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Cairo, is now moving into Kenya. Opening in April 2007 in Nairobi is the Regus Business Centre at Purshottam Place in Chiromo Road. With a floor plan of 1 600m², it has a view over the city, is close to Westlands, the Nairobi CBD and minutes away from major residential estates. Easily reached by both private and public transport, there is little traffic congestion.
Already open in Lagos, Nigeria, Fortune Towers is in the heart of Victoria Island, the business district where most multi-nationals and banks are located. Within just 10 minutes of the centre are almost all the major embassies, including French, British, United States, Netherlands and Chinese, plus numerous eateries, hotels, guest houses and clubs. It is at this address that Regus has opened a new centre, with a total floor area of 1 400m².
Colosseum, Cape Town
The newest Regus Business Centre in Cape Town, South Africa, is 1 500m² in The Colosseum, Century City’s new signature building, some 10km north of the CBD and V&A Waterfront. It includes 120 work stations and three meeting and training rooms. The opening will be in May 2007.
The Colosseum combines office, residential, retail and leisure opportunities, which is in line with future trends. Sited close to the N1 freeway and a 20–30 minute drive to Cape Town International Airport, it’s attracted blue-chip companies such as Auto & General, Liberty, Discovery and PWC.
“The Cape Town office market is now experiencing increased demand, which has taken vacancy figures to their lowest level in 16 years,” says Dave Russell, a Director of Baker Street Properties. “This demand has been driven by the buoyant economy which continues to show signs of sustained economic growth.
Melrose Arch, Johannesburg
“Increasing rentals have made developments viable and we are now seeing the first coming on stream from developers who had the vision to read the market. Until more developments are finalised, quality office accommodation will be at a premium,” he believes.
For some time Regus has also felt the need for more of a presence in Johannesburg. In addition to the new Regus Centre in Bryanston at The Campus, which opened in September 2006, Regus will be securing a business centre in the Melrose Arch Hotel, opening May 2007. Virtually on the M1, there’s access to OR Tambo Airport, Pretoria and the south. The focus of the Melrose Arch centre will be on virtual offices and the business lounge.
All four of these new centres are situated in prime business locations and offer serviced ready-to-use office space, flexible solutions and no up-front capital expenditure. Location amenities include ISDN lines; air-conditioning with temperature control; secure, 24/7 Internet access; lifts and parking.
