Introduction
If you're in logistics, manufacturing, or heavy industry, you’ve definitely heard of Knights in Germiston. This pocket of Ekurhuleni doesn’t put on airs — it’s a no-nonsense industrial zone built for moving goods and keeping business operations ticking over. With direct links to the M2, N3, and N17 highways, plus proximity to OR Tambo International, it’s a strategic sweet spot for warehousing and distribution.
Clients often ask me: is Knights still relevant with newer industrial hubs popping up in places like Midrand or Pomona? The short answer is — absolutely, if you’re after affordability, central access, and heavy-duty infrastructure.
Area Overview
Knights isn’t a lifestyle precinct. It’s where trucks roll early, shifts start before sunrise, and goods move at volume. That’s the whole point. Positioned right between Germiston’s main industrial belt and Boksburg’s commercial zones, it’s built for logistics, light and heavy manufacturing, and warehousing.
While you won’t find coffee shops on every corner, you will find reliable utilities, wide roads that accommodate heavy vehicles, and industrial spaces designed for serious operational flow.
Demand here remains steady, particularly for businesses in:
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Bulk warehousing
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Steel and engineering industries
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FMCG distribution
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Automotive parts and spares
Crime rates are manageable with active industrial patrols, but most properties come with good perimeter security as standard.
Business & Market Insights
Rental rates in Knights are competitive compared to nearby hubs. You’re looking at:
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Warehousing and factory space: R45 – R60/m²
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Offices attached to industrial sites: R70 – R90/m²
Available spaces typically range from 500m² for small-scale operations up to 20,000m² for larger distributors and manufacturers.
Power supply is often a key question. Most larger facilities have three-phase power, with several newer sites offering 500-800 amps to support heavy machinery. Backup power isn’t universal, but landlords are increasingly open to negotiating generator installations or solar options on longer leases.
Vacancy rates are sitting at around 10% — that’s relatively tight for the area, meaning quality, well-maintained spaces don’t sit on the market long.
Infrastructure & Accessibility
This is where Knights really earns its reputation. You’ve got:
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Direct M2 highway access
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Quick links to the N3 and N17
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15-minute drive to OR Tambo International Airport
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Easy movement for heavy transport with wide arterial roads
If your operations rely on minibus taxi routes for staff commuting, those are well covered along the main industrial roads. There’s no Gautrain station nearby, but the area isn’t geared for corporate commuting — it’s about operational efficiency.
The rail freight yards in Germiston are also nearby if your logistics involve rail.
Property Landscape (Office Parks + Specs)
Knights isn’t about office parks — it’s about large, functional industrial sites with attached office components where needed. Properties here generally offer:
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Large yard space for truck articulation
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High roller shutter doors (5-7 meters)
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Clear internal heights ranging from 6 to 12 metres for racking
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24-hour access and security options
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Some units with dock levellers and sprinkler systems
Examples of notable industrial parks and facilities:
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Knightsgate Industrial Park: Units from 1,000m² to 5,000m², high power supply, good yard access.
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Steel Street Complex: Known for heavy manufacturing tenants, large floor plates up to 15,000m².
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Crownwood Industrial Zone: Focused on FMCG storage and distribution, well-managed logistics access.
Incentives & Lease Options
Landlords are pragmatic in this area. While you won’t find a lot of high-end tenant incentives like you would in premium office markets, you can often negotiate on:
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Rent-free periods for longer leases (12+ months)
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Tenant allowances for minor customisations
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Longer lease discounts for 3-5 year commitments
One thing though, don’t expect landlords to cover solar installs unless you’re signing long term — and even then, you might need to co-fund.
Lifestyle & Quality of Life
Let’s be honest — people don’t come to Knights for the lifestyle. Most of the workforce is blue-collar, and it’s all about proximity to work and home rather than leisure.
That said, Knights is close enough to Boksburg and Bedfordview for management teams to stay comfortably nearby if they’re visiting regularly. OR Tambo’s proximity also makes it easy for out-of-town executives to get in and out quickly.
If you’re moving operations here, just know it’s a hard-working area focused on industry — and that’s exactly why businesses stick around.
Final Thoughts & Broker Summary
If you’re looking for polished glass façades and trendy co-working spaces, you’re in the wrong place. But if what you need is solid, affordable industrial space with serious logistics access, Knights Germiston is still one of the most strategic locations on the East Rand.
Just a heads up — properties with top-tier access and newer fit-outs don’t sit around waiting. If something suitable pops up, it’s worth locking it in before it’s gone. And we’ve already seeing some bigger tenants eyeing space for consolidation, so expect upward pressure on rents over the next year or so.