Kenyan architecture in search of an identity to call its own

https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2001260380/kenyan-architects-accused-of-copy-and-paste

Work begins on the tallest skyscraper in Africa

The mighty peaks of Kilimanjaro and Kenya are the highest points in Africa, towering over the East Coast nations. The mountains will soon be sharing a skyline with a man-made behemoth named simply: "The Pinnacle."

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta recently laid the foundation stone for what will be the tallest building in Africa in the Upper Hill neighborhood of Nairobi. Construction is underway at the development site, and slated for completion by December 2019. READ MORE: edition.cnn.com

Iconic $110 Million Hilton Nairobi Upper Hill Marks Hilton Hotels & Resorts’ 50th Property in Africa.  
Hilton has signed a management agreement with Jabavu Village Ltd to open a 255 guest-room and suite hotel in Kenya's capital. The hotel is set to open in 2020 and joins 50 Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties trading or under development in 17 countries across Africa.  FULL STORY: newsroom.hilton.com

PROJECT'S FACTS & FIGURES

Building Kenya's giant new shopping mall

Now countries like Kenya are pinning their hopes on achieving a great leap forward in development by following China's model.

Big Chinese loans have enabled them to forge ahead with massive infrastructure projects.

More money is expected - African heads of state meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at a big summit in Johannesburg on Friday where billions of dollars in extra assistance are on the table.

And construction is already under way in Nairobi on the biggest shopping mall in sub-Saharan Africa, another Chinese venture. see video: BBC's Karen Allen visited the site of the new mall.

New mall set to change how Kisumu shops

A Sh2.5billion shopping mall whose construction is near completion, will soon be part and parcel of the middle class lifestyle in Riat Hills, Kisumu.

Located conveniently at Mamboleo junction on the Kisumu-Kakamega highway, the mall which is being constructed by the Lake Basin Development Authority, is expected to be the largest of its kind in the region.
 

The 27,000 square metres building will be completed in August and will house a five-star hotel, a regional resource centre, more than 1,000 housing units as well as a complex consisting of three office blocks. This is besides serving as the headquarters of the Lake Basin Development in Kisumu.

According to the Lake Basin Commission chairman Onyango Oloo, the shopping centre is expected to revolutionise the shopping experience in the region. read more: http://mobile.nation.co.ke/lifestyle/New-mall-set-to-change-how-Kisumu-shops/-/1950774/2772450/-/format/xhtml/item/0/-/769dfh/-/index.html

Firm plans 387-acre housing estate in Limuru

A real estate firm is planning to turn a 387-acre piece of land near Limuru into a massive mixed-use estate, adding to other such developments planned for or under development in Kiambu County.

The plan by Red Coral Properties Limited will see 3,304 housing units put up on 172 acres of land and development of commercial and retail space done on 39 acres. Also in the scheme are 17 light industrial developments, mostly warehouses and logistics facilities. read more: www.businessdailyafrica.com

Acorn Group injects US$455m into Real Estate

Acorn Group Africa, a real estate firm in Kenya is going to inject US$455m into a real estate project that will see the firm construct shopping malls, commercial offices, residential properties and commercial hotels in Nairobi, Lukenya and Kitengela. read more: constructionreviewonline.com

The iconic Britam Tower in Upper Hill, Nairobi’s financial hub, at an approximate cost of Kshs 7 billion. The 31-storey building is the flagship project of Britam’s property portfolio.  When completed in 2015, the tower is projected to be the tallest building in Kenya and the third tallest in Africa. This complex will feature a collection of wind turbines hung off a central spire. The turbines will generate power for some parts of the building and will be the symbol of the iconic building, making it a city landmark. Caption source: www.britam.co.ke

Kenya’s largest mall in the offing

Nairobi’s Runda estate will soon be home to Kenya’s largest shopping mall. This is after the NSE-listed investment company, Centum, revealed its plans to build the shopping mall on its 100-acre land in the the prestigious Runda, Gigiri, Muthaiga and Nyali neighbourhoods.

The, Two Rivers, shopping complex will occupy a total of 58,000m2 dethroning the upcoming Garden City mall along Thika Road at 50,000m2, which was poised to become East Africa’s biggest shopping mall. The shopping mall, which is set to open in October 2015, is part of a US$682.2m mixed-use real estate development being undertaken by Centum on its US$ 11.3m parcel of land. read more: constructionreviewonline.com/2014/05/28/kenyas-largest-mall-offing

Moi University to construct US$356m complex

Moi University has commissioned the construction of a US$356m, 26 storey complex in Eldoret town in western Kenya. The magnificent twin-tower building is being constructed next to Imperial Bank along Uganda Road and is expected to be the tallest and biggest building in the town.

According to Moi University Pension Scheme (Mups) Trustee Chebutuk Rotich, the iconic structure will have a parking space of 600 vehicles to help curb the issue of parking in the town....  read more: constructionreviewonline.com/news/east-africa/kenyan-university-commissions-construction-us356m-complex/

Nairobi buildings must be ICT compliant

All new buildings within Nairobi County will be required to have in-built Internet connectivity in efforts to enhance Information and Communications Technology.
Nairobi County Governor Evans Kidero says this will be considered as any other utility like water and electricity before approving all constructions submissions.

He said the county will in the meantime work with the owners of existing buildings and ensure they are upgraded in the next six months. read more: www.capitalfm.co.ke/business/2014/04/nairobi-buildings-must-be-ict-compliant-kidero

39-storey Hazina Trade Centre construction starts

The National Social Security Fund has officially kicked off construction works to complete the 39-storey Hazina Trade Centre in Nairobi.

Speaking when he presided over the function, Labour Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi said the project has set the stage for NSSF’s strategic efforts to diversify their investment portfolio to cover high impact investment projects.

He said the fund will focus on high impact investments that guarantee a high return in the energy and infrastructural development sectors. 

read more: www.capitalfm.co.ke/business

Spring Valley Business Park Launched

Suraya Property Group is making its entry into the lucrative commercial property market with a state-of-the-art development dubbed Spring Valley Business Park.

The business park located along Lower Kabete Road in Nairobi, Kenya, about a five-minute drive from Westlands, will comprise five office blocks in phase one and a four-star hotel in phase two.

Phase one of the Spring Valley Business Park, whose groundbreaking is scheduled for mid June, is expected to be completed in one and a half years.

According to Suraya Property Group CEO, Pete Muraya, the Silver Valley will be a low density, high quality development that will not allow high traffic businesses such as public supermarkets.

Mr. Muraya said among Spring Valley’s main targets are banks which offer VIP corporate banking, a trend catching up fast and serves only a handful of persons at a given time reducing congestion at the business park.

In its construction, Spring Valley Business Park will borrow much from green technology in order to keep up with the latest trends.

article source: constructionreviewonline.com
images source: www.suraya.co.ke

Reinventing Nairobi's urban fabric by Urban Savannah Design Studio

Imagine a scenario where all residential estates in urban centres were eco-friendly with the ability to save rainwater for watering flower gardens and well-paved path walks? Or used solely solar energy for water heating and cooking? This September, Urban Savannah Design Studio (USDS), architectural outfit based in Westlands, will offer a visual glimpse of Nairobi in this new light. Read more: standardmedia.co.ke

About the Initiative
WHAT IF? is a self-initiated architecture and design campaign that explores and communicates contemporary and visionary ideas for the built environment that affect our daily lives. The campaign showcases great design ideas seeking to inspire everyone from fundis, architects, designers, developers, investors down to the average mwananchi (public). We look to both celebrate but also stir up debate within the city of Nairobi in an attempt to offer viable solutions to many of our city’s current and pressing issues. More: What if Architecture- Reinventing Nairobi's Urban Fabric

Prime property market boom

Inside a gated community in a tranquil Kenyan suburb, a group of builders are putting the final touches to the exterior of a lavish, red-tiled villa nestled in the middle of a landscape garden.

Within the spacious property, no luxury is spared: Hardwood floors, Venetian finishes, designer furniture and five en-suite bathrooms ensure that all the modern conveniences are in place for the future tenants.
Welcome to Miotoni Ridge, a 14-mansion development in one of the Kenyan capital's most prestigious locations.

Houses here are designed for the highest-end of the luxury market. Asking prices are running at more than $1 million but that has not deterred any potential buyers: 60% of these properties are already sold out.

In fact, a study earlier this year by estate agents Knight Frank and Citi Private Wealth found that Nairobi was the best performing prime residential market in the world. Values in the city grew up by 25% in 2011.
Read On: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/28/business/kenya-luxury-housing-boom/index.html

Kenya Building Society back in business

Mortgage provider Housing Finance has revived its construction subsidiary, giving it headroom to tap into the lucrative property development market.

The property development arm known as Kenya Building Society (KBS) was instrumental in putting up housing units in Komarock and Buru Buru estates in Nairobi in the 80s and 90s, before it became defunct for over 13 years until its revival on Wednesday.

KBS has hit the ground running with a plan to put up 162 four-bedroom housing units at a cost of Sh800 million on 13 acres of land located in Komarock estate in Nairobi’s Eastlands area.
read more: www.nation.co.ke/business/news

Ocean Seven: Luxury Living at the Beach

Kenya is widely seen by many in the region as a stable and desirable investment hotspot with no Capital Gains Tax. It is a regional hub with extensive transport and communication links

As a southern hemisphere destination, Kenya provides a perfect winter sun destination for Europe and also a cooler summer destination for the close by Gulf markets.

While the West has suffered with the economic downturn, Kenya has continued to grow. Property values in most western countries have not shown growth since 2008, while property values in Kenya have grown substantially over the same period.
Those who have invested in the real estate sector in this emerging economy are already starting to see a solid growth in underlying asset values.

The cost of living in Kenya is low and more people looking for a holiday home or retirement options find that they can achieve a good standard of living.

Overseas property investors are increasingly developing or buying into developments of properties.


Ocean Seven is a one-of-a-kind beachfront project on Kenya’s spectacular North Coast. Within 32 kms of Mombasa, Ocean Seven is a secure and elegant residence for those who want a lifestyle that matches their vision – a truly bold concept for modern day life. Every condo has been carefully designed to maximise the panoramic Indian Ocean views and cooling on-shore breezes. The blend of services and facilities has been crafted to exceed expectations.


The concept of going up in height came from a desire to create something really special in the beautiful beachfront grounds of Ocean Seven.  With yoga decks, secluded pagodas, fun entertainment or bar-be-que areas the space has been cleverly designed to give both social vibrancy and intimate privacy.   There is a 2 km walking or jogging trail blended into the park-scape, as well as a beachfront boardwalk to get the most out of the unique and expansive open space.


There are five different types of property you can buy at Ocean Seven.  All are condos.  There are 58 condos in total in the first O1 Tower.  All bedrooms are ensuite and the open plan kitchen, dining room, living room and balcony all look out across the garden area towards the sea.


See more at oceansevenkenya.com


Sun N Sand Trust
Over the years Sun  N Sand Beach Resort has tried to incorporate philanthropy as an integral part of the business in order to improve the quality of life of the community (approx 20,000 people), that live in and around the area.

The  Sun  N Sand  Trust was formed by Sun N Sand Beach Resort on 21st March 2006, where the Trust’s mandate is to facilitate and oversee all the ‘Responsible Tourism’ projects


Ocean Seven will continue supporting the Trust. The Trust’s tradition of corporate social responsibility has been central to the area over the past 40 years. Continuing the extensive support to schools and providing water and healthcare to the community is a core value.

Supporting the community is an important key driver for the family-owned business who take real and justifiable pride from the employment, education, healthcare and support they give back to the local community.
Read more about the trust: sunnsand.info/our-trust

Proposed University of Nairobi Towers

The University of Nairobi intends to construct an ultra-modern, multi-storey building in its Main Campus, Nairobi to accommodate offices, lecture theatres and an auditorium. Firms forming a consortium were invited to participate.UoN's Department of Architecture and Building Sciences recently hosted the University of Nairobi Towers architectural design competition.
27th – 28thOctober 2011: Jury assembles;
29th October –5th November 2011: Exhibition of submissions;
29th October2011: Announcement of the winner.
Here were the entries:

<< the wiining concept.

More information on these concepts to follow....