Prime Acsa facility still waiting for a tenant

As the ambitious R25-million scheme for the International Trade Bureau (ITB) at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg has now faded firmly into the past, what of the attractive site for the facility, situated conveniently between the main car park and the entrance to the terminal? The ITB closed its doors a year ago – dealt the death knell by Absa Bank for unpaid debt. Meanwhile, OR Tambo’s operator, the Airports Company of SA (Acsa), was also out of pocket on what originally seemed to be a rather good use of a well-situated part of its premises – being out millions in unpaid rent, according to Acsa’s property division. At the time, the company already had plans to redevelop the space, with interest from businesses in the conferencing game, for example. If this didn’t work, the property division had the alternative of putting a request to the business market to suggest other options. A year has since passed. And, although not claiming a flood of applicants, the latest update from John Valla, assistant property manager for Acsa, is that the market has responded. “There are a number of companies that have shown interest,” he said. “And we’re currently reviewing these possible tenants.” He set no date on when any deal would be concluded.