The landmark JT Ross Park: Glass House Office Park on Umhlanga Rocks Drive is set to be revitalised with a new blue chip tenant: Sappi.
The forestry, pulp and paper group has signed a long lease with JT Ross Property Group in a partnership that will see Sappi occupy newly created space within the original Glass House building that formerly housed Tongaat Hulett.
Built in the 1970’s, the iconic building has a new functionality and purpose that resonates with Sappi.
The lease heralds a renewal of the Glasshouse Office Park, prominently located at the gateway to the signature avenue of fever trees on Umhlanga Ridge Drive.
Grant Smith of JT Ross Property Group said Sappi would add gravity to the office park address and act as a significant value driver for further corporate tenancies in choosing to take up occupation.
“We are really excited to have concluded the Sappi tenancy. The long-term relationship in The Glasshouse Office Park will add momentum to the redevelopment of the park.”
Smith heralded Sappi’s move from South Durban. “We thank them for putting their trust in us as a property partner. Sappi had very specific requirements which they needed to abide by. We have managed to execute the redevelopment and their fit out requirements in a short period of time, and we trust that their new offices matches their business needs.”
In search for a key address for their Global Business Services (GBS) division, Sappi secured 2500 m2 of the Glass House building, as the GBS division makes the strategic move from their present offices in Amanzimtoti.
Smith further noted that Sappi was taking its GBS office to a next level comprising a new space they could mould, not only to fit their current requirements, but that also with a degree of flexibility to adapt to future growth needs.
“JT Ross Property Group is known for its flexibility and commitment in meeting tenant requirements for purpose built commercial and industrial spaces. The Sappi tenancy represents an interesting redevelopment of the Glasshouse building into an on trend building unique to the Umhlanga Rocks commercial property space.”
Sappi’s General Manager Finance Shared Services, Mervyn Nair said: “We are very excited about the move and are looking forward to our time here. I want to thank the JT Ross Property Group and Dwell Interior Architects for the exceptional efforts which were made to ensure that we met our occupation deadlines with minimal disruption to our business. Our staff are already very comfortable”.