Tamarind Group to open new hotel in Nairobi

Nairobi, Kenya: The Tamarind Group, which owns the world-famous Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi has announced plans to expand and strengthen its presence in the hospitality industry.

One of the developments will be a hotel next to the Carnivore Restaurant Nairobi, near Wilson Airport to cater to both international and regional business travellers.

Groundbreaking for the hotel is set to take place by third quarter of 2014, Group Business Development Director Jonathan Seex disclosed in a statement.

Mr Seex said the company is seeking to expand within the hotel and residence management segment of the industry.

“The Group plans to further develop its operations within both “pure hotel” and “residence and suites” concepts using the Tamarind brand across the major towns in Kenya,” he disclosed.

He said this follows the major success of the Tamarind Village concept in Mombasa.

To begin with, these projects will be rolled out in Nairobi and Naivasha, followed by Kisumu, Eldoret, Kakamega, Machakos, Nakuru and Athi River, in partnership with hospitality real estate developers and financiers.

The Group is currently looking for sites and will seek to enter into joint venture agreements with the landowners or purchase the pieces of land, once identified.

Under the “residence and suites” concept, one of the developments in Naivasha going by the name “Osotua Tamarind Tree” broke ground in 2012 and is nearing completion.

Mr Seex explained that more than half of the units have already been sold and official opening is expected to take place towards the end of this year.

Ground breaking

In addition to Osotua, Tamarind Tree Residence in Migaa, Kiambu broke ground in November 2013 and Tamarind Tree Residence and Suites on Ngong Road broke ground earlier this year, with completion expected towards the end of 2015.

“Ground breaking for Tamarind Tree Suites in Rosslyn is expected to take place later this year,” he added.

The Tamarind Group has entered into management and licence agreements for the branding and management of each development, according to Mr Seex.

In addition, the Group is planning to enter the casual dining industry through a newly developed fast-food concept named “Carnivore Express”. There are also plans of developing a mid-market restaurant concept branded “Carnivore Steakhouse”.

The Group has appointed Burbidge Capital as the Strategic Advisor. Edward Burbidge - CEO and founder of Burbidge Capital – expressed delight at being appointed to advise Tamarind on its exciting medium-term plans.

“It is a very high quality Kenyan brand with an excellent performance track record and this expansion is a positive development for all stakeholders as well as the industry as a whole,” he said.