Giflo bets on Centurion growth for next phase of Irene Link

Giflo Property Developers says it’s broken ground on phase F of the Irene Link precinct, marking the next step of growth as Centurion continues to attract residents, commuters and businesses.

The developers have partnered with Abland Property Developers and Som Group in an effort to scale up the precinct.

Citing Stats SA census data and municipal forecasting models, Giflo director and co-founder Michiel Scharrighuisen said the area has grown from more than 72 000 residents in 1975 to almost 400 000 in 2025. This is a phenomenal 436% increase in five decades.

“That growth is also changing how people live, work and move through the area,” said Scharrighuisen.

As Centurion has grown, so too has the need for upmarket mixed-use developments that offer long-term tenant stability and lower-than-average vacancies,” he added.

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Buildings A to E already offer 50 000 square metres of P-grade space, which reached high occupancy shortly after completion because “they cater to the way people work and live today”.

The developers expect similar results for building F once it’s ready.

Building F is on track for completion around May 2027 and will add another 5 700 square metres of four Green Star-rated office space to the development.

To secure the coveted four Green Star rating, the building will incorporate:

• Energy-efficient HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) systems;
• Motion-sensing LED lighting;
• Smart water harvesting; and
• High-speed fibre and integrated smart building technology.

Scharrighuisen said it will also set the stage for the rollout of the mid-block precinct, which will house buildings G, H and I.

Retail and lifestyle components

According to Scharrighuisen, the retail component has been carefully curated to serve both tenants and the surrounding residential community, with a blue-chip tenant mix that includes Woolworths, Checkers and Dis-Chem.

“There’s also Irene Arms, with its custom-built, first-in-South Africa 200-metre indoor rifle range, as well as West Pack, Petzone, Mr Price, Planet Fitness, Bootlegger, The Baron, Kauai and Avbob’s own cafeteria and coffee shop, which is now open to everyone.”

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“We’re incredibly specific and protective about our tenant mix. Our priority is to maintain a high standard of retail, dining and wellness offerings so that office workers and shoppers have everything they need in one attractive, safe and walkable location,” he said.

Three access points

1. The east entrance via the Olievenhoutbosch traffic intersection and a traffic circle near the entertainment square.

2. The southern access point, with a dedicated left lane in and out of Olievenhoutbosch Road.

3. The western access point via a traffic intersection with Alexandra Road and Jean Avenue.

Connectivity will be further improved by a nearby Gautrain drop-off and pick-up bus zone, as well as a new taxi rank and pedestrian bridge to be built by the Giflo team.

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