Major logistics expansion planned in South Durban industrial corridor
Durban — Durban-based development group Shree Property Holdings has acquired two large properties in the South Durban Industrial Basin and intends to invest around R1.6 billion to convert the sites into modern logistics warehousing close to the Port of Durban.
The purchases form part of a wider R2 billion investment commitment in KwaZulu‑Natal announced at the 2026 KwaZulu‑Natal Investment Conference. According to founding CEO Pran Shree, about R400 million of that commitment will be directed to a warehousing facility at Woodmead Industrial Park in Shakaskraal, in the iLembe District Municipality.
“Some R1.6 billion will be invested in the two prime properties that our group has acquired in South Coast Road, with plans for around 80 000m² of new logistics warehousing,” Pran Shree said.
The two sites, at 1236 South Coast Road and 1400 South Coast Road, each measure roughly 60 000m². Shree Property said they will be transformed into what it calls world‑class logistics warehousing, bringing the developer's contiguous holdings in the area to about 130 000m².
- 1236 South Coast Road — formerly a Plascon factory.
- 1400 South Coast Road — previously owned by Tiger Brands and used as a Beacon chocolates factory.
- Woodmead Industrial Park, Shakaskraal — earmarked for the remaining R400 million investment.
What the investment means for Durban's logistics landscape
The sites sit inside one of Durban's longest established manufacturing and logistics corridors close to the container terminals. The developer said the project aims to deliver roughly 80 000m² of new warehousing capacity across the two Durban properties.
Although Shree Property has framed the acquisitions as strategic for logistics near the port, the company has not supplied detailed timelines for construction, occupancy targets or the number of jobs expected to be created. Local stakeholders, including tenants and the City of eThekwini, will likely seek more information on planning applications, rezoning where necessary, and infrastructure implications — especially road access and freight movements along South Coast Road.
Sites with industrial histories to be repurposed
Both properties carry substantial industrial histories. One was previously used by paint manufacturer Plascon; the other was a chocolate factory under Tiger Brands. Converting older factory sites to logistics facilities is consistent with broader trends around South African ports, where proximity to container terminals makes warehousing particularly valuable for importers, exporters and third‑party logistics firms.
| Property | Size (approx.) | Previous use |
|---|---|---|
| 1236 South Coast Road | 60 000m² | Plascon factory |
| 1400 South Coast Road | 60 000m² | Beacon chocolates (Tiger Brands) |
| Woodmead Industrial Park (Shakaskraal) | (part of R2bn commitment) | New warehousing facility |
Shree Property's announcement will be watched by market participants who monitor industrial real estate, port efficiency and supply‑chain resilience. For Durban residents, any substantial new warehousing activity close to the port often brings mixed effects: increased economic activity and demand for local services on one hand, and intensified heavy‑vehicle traffic, noise and pressure on local roads on the other.
At a regional level, the investment is part of a pitch to draw capital into KwaZulu‑Natal's economy. The developer indicated the two Durban sites will join other neighbouring industrial properties already under the group's ownership to form a larger logistics precinct.
City officials and affected communities will need to be engaged as plans progress, particularly around construction phases, traffic management and environmental considerations. The timeline for redevelopment and the identity of prospective occupiers have not yet been disclosed by Shree Property.
As further details emerge — including building plans, municipal approvals and proposed tenants — the scale and timing of the project's impact on Durban's logistics sector and neighbourhoods will become clearer.
