Who We Are

Construction site with a multi-story building under construction, a large tower crane, and a parking lot filled with cars in the foreground.

Founded in Durban, South Africa in 1902, we are a 120 year old family business which has over 12 decades of history in construction and real estate. Whilst we have a strong heritage behind us, we are future-focused, innovative, and passionate about what's next.

History

A construction site with damaged buildings, debris, and muddy ground in an urban area.

JT Ross was founded by James Taylor Ross in 1902. The business originally focused on carpentry, and over the years evolved into a construction oriented company which slowly constructed buildings along Umgeni Road, Durban where JT Ross’s current head office still remains today.

Three construction workers in blue uniforms and helmets smiling at a construction site with a yellow excavator labeled 'ROSS'. one worker is holding a level, and another is standing with hands on hips.

JT Ross strategically focused on the construction of buildings during Durban’s rapidly growing urban sprawl which allowed the company to develop a number of assets in key nodes around the city.

A construction site with a partially built multi-story building, yellow cranes, a cityscape with buildings and a mountain in the background, and a river with small wetlands nearby.

After constructing a number of noteworthy projects in the Durban precinct, JT Ross expanded its operations into Cape Town and Johannesburg. This expansion allowed the business to capitalise from South Africa’s rapidly growing demand for office and industrial space, expanding the footprint nationwide.

Modern commercial building with a parking lot, featuring multiple floors, glass balconies, and a blue RCL Foods logo on the front.

JT Ross’s core strategy focused on build-to-let which enabled the company to create a portfolio of properties spanning around the country. Leveraging on this strategy, we strategically developed into a diverse portfolio of properties across different regions, facilitating our expansion into international markets and solidifying our position as a trusted global real estate business.

Timeline

  • Black-and-white photograph of a family portrait featuring twelve people, including adults and children, dressed in late 19th or early 20th-century clothing.

    1882

    James Taylor Ross and his family set sail for South Africa, from Scotland.

  • Sign that reads "J. H. Gross & Son, Builders, Contractors" in embossed letters on a metal surface.

    1902

    J.T. Ross and Son (Pty) Ltd founded in South Africa.

  • Three-story historic building with ornate iron balconies on each level, awning on the ground floor, and a no-parking sign in front.

    1917

    J.T Ross operating his workshop from the rear of his home at 504 Windermere Road. The oldest existing building known to have been built by JT Ross.

  • Building with a sign that reads JJ Ross & Son (Pty) Ltd

    1918

    Construction of Offices and Workshop for JT Ross at 58 First Avenue begins.

  • Black and white photo of a multi-story apartment building with a fenced yard and parked car in front, under a cloudy sky.

    1920

    Construction of 284 Windermere Road.

  • A vintage seaplane flying over a fleet of boats on water.

    1940

    During WW2, JTR covered all the Caltex petrol storage tanks on the Bluff with concrete to protect them from aerial attacks and concrete retaining walls around them in case of leaks.

  • Black and white portrait of a man with short dark hair, wearing a suit and tie, looking directly at the camera with a serious expression.

    1944

    1944 marks the passing of J.T. Ross.

  • Black and white photo of a small church with a pointed roof, arched window, and religious symbols on the front, surrounded by trees.

    1947

    Ross Memorial Chapel opened at the Durban Light Infantry Headquarters, built by J.T. Ross and Son.

  • Black and white image of a building under construction with scaffolding, with a sign on top reading 'J. T. ROSS & SON (PTY) LTD.'

    1980

    J.T. Ross and Son move offices to 373 Umgeni Road, Durban.

  • Group of eight men in business casual attire posing on construction site in front of large yellow excavator.

    1998

    J.T Ross developed The Square on La Lucia Ridge, Durban

  • A man in a suit and glasses speaking at a podium during a conference or event, with a large screen behind displaying the name J.I. Ross.

    2002

    JT Ross turns 100.

  • White multi-story building with large glass windows and the sign "The Lion Match Company Limited" on the facade, with a parking lot in front containing a few parked cars under a partly cloudy sky.

    2003

    JT Ross move to Old Lion Match Factory in Umgeni Road, Durban.

  • A circular medical or institutional building with a central courtyard, surrounded by roads and parking, and with industrial and highway areas in the background.

    2003

    JT Ross developed The Crescent, Umhlanga Ridge in a joint venture.

  • Aerial view of a coastal area with buildings, green parks, and roads, with the ocean in the background.

    2005

    JT Ross acquires The Glass House Office Park, La Lucia Ridge, Durban and starts refurbishment.

  • Tall modern glass building with a tall palm tree in front and a distinctive circular structure at the top

    2006

    Award winning redevelopment of ABSA Towers in Durban's CBD.

  • Construction site of a multi-story building with a yellow crane in front of a green landscape with water bodies, with a city and a flat-topped mountain in the background.

    2009

    JT Ross develops and builds Cape Town Film Studio's, Liberty Regional Offices, Waterview Park, Spar Distribution Centre and various other developments in the Western Cape.

  • Aerial view of a construction site with excavated earth, construction machinery, and a crane, adjacent to a highway and office buildings in the background.

    2009

    Ridgeside Development on Umhlanga Ridge, the Vodacom Regional Head Office. Investment paths into the United Kingdom commence

  • Lidl grocery store with people shopping outside, some carrying grocery bags, parking lot in the foreground, cloudy sky overhead.

    2009

    JT Ross acquires first international property in the UK.

  • Long exposure photograph of a cable-stayed bridge with a pink tower over a highway at dusk, with streaks of red and white lights from moving vehicles.

    2010

    Construction of Blackburn Bridge across the N2 and Ethekwini Hospital completed amongst various other commercial and industrial developments.

  • The word 'ROSSMIN' in bold, blue capital letters on a white background.

    2010

    Rossmin forms to commence plans for an open cast mine on the South Coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal.

  • Exterior view of Hillcrest building at dusk with modern architecture, landscaped walkways, and a pink sky in the background.

    2011

    JT Ross inherits major shareholding of Hillcrest Private Hospital after a turnkey development. Forms Ross Healthcare.

  • Group of six people standing in a field with DB Schenker signs and flags, dressed in business attire, during an outdoor event or groundbreaking ceremony.

    2012

    JT Ross Park: Plumbago in Johannesburg kicks off with first major distribution centre. The park aims to be Johannesburg’s premier Logistics hub.

  • Aerial view of a city with modern buildings, green spaces, parking lots, and the ocean in the distance.

    2013

    Development of Ross Healthcare’s second hospital Gateway Private Hospital.

  • An aerial view of a highway with a uniquely designed cable-stayed bridge crossing over the lanes, surrounded by green hills, roads, and some industrial buildings.

    2013

    Tshelimnyama Pedestrian Bridge near the Mariannhill Toll Plaza on the N3 outside Durban was completed. Received an award for Technical Excellence (SAICE).

  • Modern multi-story parking garage with an attached building, located in a spacious parking lot with trees and streetlights at dusk.

    2015

    JT Ross moves to newly built premises within Lion Match Office Park. JT Ross change focus from Construction Company to Property Development, Ownership and Management Company.

  • Danish flag flying against a cloudy sky.

    2015

    Investment paths into Denmark commence.

  • JT Ross Property Group logo in navy and gray text on a white background.

    2016

    The JT Ross Logo changes.

  • Aerial view of a cityscape with white buildings, green fields, a train track, and a distant coastline with ocean.

    2016

    JT Ross wins overall SAPOA Excellence Award, Heritage Award and joint Redevelopment Award for Lion Match Office Park.

  • Modern commercial building with RCL FOODS sign, large glass windows, and open balconies, set against a purple twilight sky.

    2016

    RCL Foods’s Head Office, developed by JT Ross. was awarded the ‘Best Office Interior South Africa’ award in the Africa & Arabia 2017 category at the International Property Awards in Dubai.

  • A construction site with earth-moving equipment on a large, Logistics, Park, South Africa, Africa, best logistics park in South Africa, Biggest logistics developer in Africa and South Africa, Secure gated park, good security, secure logistics, safe

    2016

    JT Ross Park: Northfield commenced. This park aims to be Durban’s premier logistics park.

  • Large warehouse building with Caterpillar logo at sunset, with parking lot and streetlights in the foreground.Logistics, Park, South Africa, Africa, best logistics park in South Africa, Biggest logistics developer in Africa and South Africa, Secure

    2017

    Completion of the Caterpillar’s 100,000 sqm warehouse in JHB. JTR’s biggest turnkey industrial development to date.

  • Modern multi-story glass office building with curved architecture, reflective windows, and a construction crane nearby.

    2018

    Phase 1 and 2 of the CCI building in Umhlanga completed.

  • A modern corporate building with digital signage displaying 'adapt IT' and the logo, surrounded by landscaped walkways and temporary structures, under a clear blue sky.

    2018

    Completion of the AdaptIT building in JHB, our biggest office building in JHB.

  • A large industrial or warehouse building with a corrugated metal exterior, parking lot with several cars, a yellow DHL delivery van on the road, trees, and a clear blue sky.

    2019

    JTR acquires Aerozone Business Park, Budapest, Hungary.

  • A large warehouse building with the Walmart logo and store number 9814, surrounded by parking lots and a landscape with greenery.

    2021

    The Massmart Distribution Center at Northfield is completed, our biggest development in Durban (54000 m2). Awarded EDGE Certification from GBCSA.