Small investors came to the rescue of the Johannesburg city centre when they snapped up the portfolio of commercial properties auctioned by Aucor on behalf of Sanlam Property Asset Management

Johannesburg's central business district (CBD) has looked stark, with office vacancies at about 25% of its total gross lettable area over the past two years, according to vacancy figures from commercial property industry association Sapoa.

Despite the oversupply of office space, rising vacancies and the well-publicised exodus from the CBD, Braamfontein is holding its own.

Fist National Bank (FNB) is pumping R28 million into the heart of Johannesburg's CBD for the creation of a parking garage that will serve the bank's 6,000 staffers at its Bank City complex.

Last week, FNB announced that it is investing R28-million in the Johannesburg CBD with the development of a car parkade, which will form part of the bank’s BankCity complex.

Property loan stock company ApexHi has added four properties valued at R120,8m to its portfolio, it said yesterday

Johannesburg's central business district (CBD) is to receive a R50m retail development Union Square at the corner of Noord and Twist streets

Two projects launched this month could put the Johannesburg CBD back in business

HOPE FOR THE CBD

Implosions will open spaces and help restore vibrancy', says Neil Fraser