The 60-storey building that was to stand tall in Upper Hill, Nairobi would have been the tallest in Africa, writes HAROLD AYODO

A multi-billion shilling ultra-modern building that was to be constructed in Upper Hill and was to be the tallest building in Africa was unfortunately put on hold. It was part of the flagship projects of Vision 2030.

According to the Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board director of strategy Andrew Toboso, amenities in the area cannot support the iconic building called The One.

Architectural drawings of the skyscraper that never was. The city could not support its energy and water requirements. [Photo: Courtesy]

"Simulations showed that the 60-floor building would require at least 15 megawatts of electricity and 140,000 litres of water daily," says Toboso.

Given its unique architectural design and modern facilities, the building would have been one of its kind in Africa.

"It was to house a seven-star hotel, luxury and serviced residential apartments, an observation deck and an exclusive vision club on the top floor," Toboso says.

However, he says the building, which was to have a 600-car parking space has not completely slipped from their grip because the private developers are still willing to pursue the project if the infrastructural support services are provided.

"A modern road network to accommodate the expected heavy traffic flow is among the requirements that must be met," he says.

The First Group — a British-owned global property development company based in Dubai — is behind the project.

Some of the iconic structures developed by the First Group in Dubai Sports City include The Matrix, The Bridge and The Diamond.

"Other developments under their name, which are architectural masterpieces include The First Central, The Spirit and Grand Central," Toboso says.

According to information from its website, The First Group is focused on delivering innovative overseas property and meeting demands of the international property market. They have in their portfolio The One Kempinski in Abuja, Nigeria, which is a stunning development that features prestigious serviced residences and executive suites.

Global and classy

Others include one and two bedroom apartments, penthouses and several five-star leisure facilities including a rooftop infinity pool, spa, health club and gym.

According to The First Group, their new innovative brand — The One — is a new concept born out of a partnership of a global classy property development and a hospitality brand.

If their developments in real estate over the past 20 years are anything to go by, the intended construction would have changed the face of Upper Hill and the country.

The City Council of Nairobi recently released the latest Guide of Nairobi City Development Ordinances and Zones and the Upper Hill development was to fall in Zone 1E.

Home & Away could not establish whether investors had deposited down payments for apartments that were to be housed in the building as advertised online.

According to earlier online advertisements, The First Group had invited willing buyers to pay 15 per cent to reserve the luxury apartments within The One.

Information from the website further shows that it prides on offering investors off-plan (pre-sales) developments in Africa and the United Arab Emirates.

As stated by the advertisement, the costs of the units were to be anything from $300,000 (Sh27 million) with flexible repayment plans of two years.

The prospective buyers were to fill in a form to register their interests in property at the exclusive Upper Hill area.

Back to the lack of amenities that led to the postponement of the iconic building in Upper Hill, factors affecting development in real estate are not new in the country.

Affordable housing

For instance, a paper recently presented to Kenyans living in London by the National Housing Corporation managing director James Ruitha sheds light.

The presentation titled Emerging Opportunities in the Housing Industry in Kenya highlighted factors that affect investment in real estate locally.

It cited the high rate of urbanisation, which stands at four per cent per annum and lack of serviced land. Other challenges are inadequate housing, slums and squatter settlements and under- investment in low and middle-cost housing. Outdated building code, slow delivery of technologies for housing and inadequate contractor capacity to deliver houses also remain as setbacks. These challenges are costing the country lucrative opportunities, and The One is one such casualty.