Construction of Africa’s first NTT data centre at Centralpoint Innovation District in Samrand, Johannesburg, South Africa has begun. The cutting-edge development of Johannesburg 1 Data Centre – dubbed JOH1 – is being developed by Growthpoint on behalf of NTT Ltd.
The multi-million-dollars, 12-month development project will comprise 6,000sqm of IT space and 20MW of IT load facility. JOH1 will also feature high-end offices with an NTT Technology Experience Lab (TEL), all supported by specialised state-of-the-art security solutions. The data centre is being built to tier-three standards. The JOH1 project is scheduled for practical completion in the fourth quarter of 2021 and NTT intends to launch it in 2022.
Designed to the leading international standards of NTT Ltd.’s Global Data Centres division, the opportunity to develop JOH1 in Centralpoint Innovation District was identified locally in South Africa by Dimension Data and Growthpoint as early as 2017. The site’s ideal proximity to an electrical substation with ample generation capacity provides the massive advantage of extremely cost-effective electrical infrastructure set-up.
According to Growthpoint SA CEO Estienne de Klerk, Growthpoint is thrilled that NTT selected Centralpoint Innovation District to increase its capabilities and global capacity and chose the Growthpoint development team for its first data centre in Africa. “We are pleased to support the growth strategy of the Global Data Centres division of NTT Ltd. and to see this collaboration with our esteemed partner Dimension Data coming to fruition,” he said.
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Centralpoint Innovation District
South Africa leads the market for data centres in Africa, and Joburg is the country’s data centre capital. The Growthpoint-owned 42-hectare Centralpoint Innovation District enjoys a premium position in a highdemand hub for data centres and technology businesses in the city. It is distinguished by a unique combination of functionality and appeal.
Security, power availability, diverse fibre connectivity, easy access of the highway and customized designs are key considerations for businesses in this market, and Centralpoint offers this all at an extremely high level. It also features beautiful, landscaped gardens in a well-maintained public precinct managed by a dedicated property owners association.
JOH1 is Growthpoint’s fourth development in this vibrant, growing business community. Others include the 10,000sqm Bakers SA Limited’s warehouse and distribution facility and regional offices, the 27,000sqm Sterling Industrial Park comprising eight freestanding units built over two phases and the Centralpoint Innovation District’s Property Owners Association’s offices.
Growthpoint Head of Industrial Development Leon Labuschagne, said that the projects to date have been tailored for third-parties as well as Growthpoint’s portfolio of assets because Centralpoint is such a prime location. “The Centralpoint district development is market-driven and responds to the demand for quality, efficient, high-tech, logistics and warehousing facilities in great locations,” he added.
Centralpoint is conveniently located in Midrand, just off the N1 Samrand off-ramp between Johannesburg and Pretoria with easy access to the east and west of Johannesburg and Pretoria. It enjoys superb highway access to the N1 North and South, and N14, easy connection to the R21 on route to OR Tambo via Olifantsfontein road, and is well served by public transport.
