Newlyn Group is moving ahead with the development of its Newlyn Logistics Park in Gqeberha, with the first 10,000m² warehouse nearing completion and construction of a second facility scheduled to begin in October 2026.
Located along Cape Road (R102), around 5km from the N2 and approximately 20 minutes from the Port of Gqeberha, the development is designed to accommodate logistics, distribution and light manufacturing businesses. The wider logistics park covers approximately 150,000m², with additional warehouse phases planned as demand develops.
The first phase includes a 10,000m² warehouse, a matching 10,000m² yard and between 200m² and 300m² of office and ancillary space. Completion is expected by December 2026. The next phase will add another warehouse of the same size, supported by a dedicated yard.
Warehouse Design Focuses On Operational Efficiency
Rather than focusing solely on warehouse size, Newlyn has incorporated features intended to support the practical requirements of storage, handling and distribution operations.
The buildings have a 24m by 24m column grid to provide open operating space, alongside a clear internal height of 10.5m beneath the structural trusses. This allows for racking of approximately 9m to 10m, or around seven levels, using conventional materials-handling equipment.
The warehouse floors are designed to support distributed loads of 10 to 12 tonnes, with joints positioned to account for racking layouts and the loads placed on rack legs. These considerations can help reduce the need for costly modifications when tenants install their storage systems.
Outside, heavy-duty paved yards are designed to withstand truck and reach-stacker movements. The development also incorporates reinforced concrete in high-turning and high-wear areas to accommodate the demands of regular vehicle movements.
These specifications are intended to help businesses configure their facilities around their operational needs, from goods storage to loading and dispatch.
Infrastructure Designed for Long-Term Use
The development also incorporates features intended to address energy use, building maintenance and Gqeberha’s coastal conditions.
Steelwork has a 15-year anti-corrosion specification, while the roof system is designed without penetrations. The structures are also engineered to accommodate rooftop solar panels, allowing tenants to add photovoltaic capacity without requiring retrospective structural strengthening.
Translucent roof sheeting allows natural light into the warehouse during the day, while ventilation systems support fresh-air circulation and smoke extraction. LED lighting can also be paired with motion or timing sensors to limit unnecessary energy use.
Fire protection is another key consideration. The logistics park will use a shared dual-tank, dual-pump firefighting water system designed to support firefighting in two buildings simultaneously for up to two hours. Warehouse sprinkler systems, early-warning smoke detection and smoke curtains form part of the wider fire-safety provisions.
Utility infrastructure includes individual electricity and water meters, backup water storage and a borehole alongside the municipal supply. Stormwater systems have also been designed to account for the site’s floodplain conditions.
Security will combine perimeter fencing and AI-enabled camera monitoring with a central control room. Individual tenants will be able to establish additional security measures around their own operations.
Further Phases to Respond to Demand
Newlyn has approved plans for additional warehouse options of 12,000m², 7,000m² and 3,000m² as the logistics park expands. This gives the developer scope to respond to different occupier requirements rather than committing to a single warehouse size across the entire site.
According to Viresh Persad, Newlyn Group’s chief development officer, the aim is to incorporate practical operational requirements into the initial building design while retaining flexibility for different tenants.
The development adds to the warehousing infrastructure available in Gqeberha, with its location providing access to the N2 and the Port of Gqeberha. For logistics operators, the combination of transport links, yard capacity and adaptable warehouse space will be central to determining how well the facility meets their distribution and storage needs.
Source: Newlyn Group, via Catchwords Newsroom.