Nairobi hosted the inaugural African Real Estate and Housing Finance (AREHF) Academy Awards at Crowne Plaza on Friday, March 30, 2012. The awards were designed to recognise real estate innovations and emerging housing finance players that have made significant social and economic impact in Africa. ALLAN OLINGO highlights the winners in various categories
Strathmore Business School, Kenya (Best green building development in Africa)
Winners of the African Real Estate and Housing Finance Academy Awards display their awards during the award ceremony held at Crowne Plaza, Nairobi on Friday March 30,2012. |
The Strathmore Business School is the first green business school in Africa and is valued at Sh265 million. The school incorporates ultra-modern facilities. The auditorium has a seating capacity of 180, inclusive of all the requisite conferencing facilities such as a huge screen with the visual material presented via any of the three ceiling mounted projectors.
The innovative design embraces the green building technology guidelines and seeks to achieve the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Leed) certification, which is a ‘green building’ rating system, used in the USA.
Coca-Cola Plaza, Kenya (The most innovative real estate development in Africa)
The Coca-Cola Plaza building is symbolic and represents a meeting of minds. It is testament to the collaborative efforts of Kenyan and South African architects in creating an environmentally-friendly building. The plaza combines innovation and practicality in its design, ensuring a delicate balance between aesthetics and care for the environment.
The Coca-Cola Plaza has a large state-of-the-art auditorium that eliminates the necessity to host indoor business meetings at hired venues. Its interior décor consists of African artefacts that celebrate the diversity in the continent.
One Riverside Drive, Kenya (Best real estate infrastructural development in Africa)
According to AMS Properties, the developers of One Riverside Drive, its design, luxury and prestige place the residential scheme in a class of its own. Located in one of Nairobi’s prime areas, the development’s world-class architecture and fine interior designs make it outstanding.
Pangoni Beach Resort, Kenya (Best architectural design in Africa)
It is described as the most prestigious apartment development in the history of Mombasa. Its elegant and spacious serviced apartments leave those seeking a sole retreat or family vacation spoilt for choice.
Nestled on the tranquil Shanzu Beach in Mombasa, the resort is an exquisite and uniquely built seaside paradise. The apartments are available for rent on a daily bed and breakfast rate. The resort has one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments.
Blue Rose Limited, Ghana (Best low-income/affordable residential developer in Africa)
Blue Rose Ltd focuses on building quality and affordable residential facilities for the average Ghanaian income earner. One of the company’s projects is the Blue Rose Residence.
The company has achieved two major awards in its five years of existence. In 2009, it won the Silver Award at the Second Ghana Business and Financial Services Excellence Awards and in 2010, it won the residential developer of the year (mass housing) at the Ghana Property Awards. This is their third award.
The Bridge City Shopping Centre, South Africa (The best real estate public private partnership in Africa)
The Bridge City is a new town centre, 17km from the Durban city centre. It bridges the communities of Phoenix and Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu and links them into the urban system. This new town was designed to serve as the social and commercial centre to an area with a housing a population of over 800,000 that has for many years suffered poor access to facilities and social services.
A joint venture between Tongaat Hulett and eThekwnini Municipality, this private-public partnership was formed in 2002 and in 2007 received the SAPOA Partnership Award and KZN Top Business Partnership Award, in recognition of the RHVBE Development. It has been a catalyst for economic growth and the empowerment of surrounding communities by improving access to public transport and opportunities to work, travel, shop and do business through a symbiotic relationship between the public and private sectors.
Victoria Residences, Nigeria (Best middle/high-income residential development in Africa)
Owned by UACN Property Development Company Plc, Nigeria (UPDC), Victoria Residences are located at Bishop Aboyade Cole Street, in Victoria Island, Lagos. This premium residential luxury apartment comprises of 12 maisonettes, 24 units of three-bedroom Apartments and six studio apartments. Each unit is luxuriously finished with quality fixtures, fittings and fitted kitchen.
HFC Bank (Ghana) Limited (The Best Real Estate Mortgage Provider in Africa)
HFC Bank (Ghana) Limited is a leading financial institution and the most diversified in Ghana. Its services include commercial banking, investment banking, mortgage banking and a micro-finance subsidiary. The company has played a pioneering role in the development of the mortgage industry in Ghana and continues to be the leading home loan provider.
Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited, India (Recognition for The best foreign enterprise in real estate)
Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited-India is a commercial real estate company based in Mumbai, India. Founded in 1977 by Hasmukhbhai Parekh, its distribution network spans 283 outlets that include 66 offices of Housing Development Finance Corporation’s (HDFC) distribution company and HDFC Sales Private Limited.
In addition, HDFC covers over 90 locations through its outreach programmes and its marketing efforts are concentrated on developing a stronger distribution network. Home loans are also sourced through HDFC Sales, HDFC Bank Limited and other third party direct selling agents.
Housing Finance, Kenya (Best real estate lending institution in Africa)
Housing Finance is the second largest mortgage provider in Kenya, serving over 40,000 customers with deposits of Sh8.4 billion. For over 40 years, Housing Finance has been turning dreams into homes for thousands of Kenyan families and housing developers.
The company provides easy access to mortgage finance and also enables its clients to save money as they build, buy and own homes. Housing Finance has backed many local and international awards for its mortgage service.
Housing Finance, Kenya (Best real estate lending institution in Africa)
Housing Finance is the second largest mortgage provider in Kenya, serving over 40,000 customers with deposits of Sh8.4 billion. For over 40 years, Housing Finance has been turning dreams into homes for thousands of Kenyan families and housing developers.
The company provides easy access to mortgage finance and also enables its clients to save money as they build, buy and own homes. Housing Finance has backed many local and international awards for its mortgage service.
Mandhir Construction Limited (Recognition for Best construction company for real estate in Africa)
Mandhir Construction has been operational in Kenya for the past 24 years. They have constructed a large number of projects ranging from residential maisonettes and apartments to stations, hotels and lodges, factories and refurbishments projects.
