East Capital Apartments Estate to redefine Eastlands

By correspondent

An upcoming development along Kangundo Road is set to change the face of the East of the capital. East Capital Apartments is a new ultra-modern residential complex that developers say will be a landmark in the area and sets the tone for future developments. The East Capital Estate is an unrivalled architectural and sustainable housing concept that is sure to set the pace for other residential developments.

Housing-plus concept

The concept behind this ingenious development dubbed ‘housing-plus concept’ will deliver a unique estate complete with all commercial, social and recreational amenities such as a modern gymnasium and fitness centre, swimming pool, convenience mini-market, medicare parlour, ICT centre, gourmet restaurant, boutique, salon, barber shop, kindergarten and a children’s play park.

There are also 10 two-bedroom tastefully furnished apartments for sleep-over guests.

"The upcoming East Capital Apartments Estate is an integrated living environment with unrivalled ‘livability’ enhancement all featured in one estate," says Project Manager Francis Parsimei.

A proper branding of East Capital Apartments and East Capital Mall is underway and will include a well-landscaped frontage and access way to Kangundo Road. The estate will have a central gatehouse and a frontage perimeter fence that will regulate entry and exit.

The estate has three lined-block rows — Amboseli, Tsavo and Serengeti — named to resonate with our heritage. Located just 800m off Outering Road along Kangundo Road, the development is set to be the literal capital as far as housing developments in this area goes.

The developer, East Gate Apartments Ltd, says residents here will not have to go outside the estate for shopping as the estate business centre, dubbed East Capital Mall, will be restricted.

The estate comprises 20 executive apartment blocks with 266 two-bedroom units, 157 three-bedroom units, 23 penthouses and 10 furnished apartments. The entire development sits on a five-acre piece of land that will boast of adequate space both inside and outside the units. On the grounds will be a swimming pool and sauna, which will be used exclusively by the residents together with a fully fitted professional gymnasium, the first of its kind in Eastlands. The units will have ample space with plinth areas of 90, 100 and 115 square metres for two and three-bedroom apartments respectively.

Sufficient parking

Each apartment has two balconies at the lounge and kitchen, allowing plenty of natural light and ventilation. Other design features include fitted kitchens with granite worktops, glazed tiles for all wet areas and an elegant master en-suite finishing. On the outside, modern landscaping techniques will be employed on the green areas to provide ambience and serenity. The estate will also have sufficient parking lots with a capacity of over 560 cars.

Two-bedroom units will sell at Sh4.5 million, Sh6 million for the two-bedroom apartments and Sh6.5 million for the penthouses as introductory prices. Marketing Team Leader Charles Muigai adds that the residents from the 423-unit estate will provide a sizeable internal customer base. Business operators wishing to take up space in the shopping complex will also be vetted to make sure they understand the concept of the estate.

"They must share our concept and live up to set standards," says Muigai.

Community living

While Eastlands has had its fair share of fame from estates like Buru Buru, which has reigned supreme for many years, the East Capital Estate will rightfully ‘stake claim’ as a posh estate in Eastlands. East Capital Apartments developers promise not to allow the estate degenerate into a concret jungle like other estates in the area.

According to Muigai, residents must appreciate ‘community living’.

"We are actually vetting applicants," he says.

Interestingly, other new developments have come up along Kangundo Road. On the opposite side of Umoja are immaculate housing estates such as Sosian Estate and Jacaranda among others. There is also the proposed second referral hospital nearby.

East Capital Apartments has incorporated an estate management company that will provide services for homeowners. Residents will own the company, which will be in charge of maintaining the standards of the estate and providing various services. Estate management companies have become a popular alternative for large-scale developers who would want to create sustainable standards for their estates.

The company will be in charge of providing services such as security, garbage collection, water and power.

Muigai points out that the neighbourhood is planned and there are no chances of inharmonious developments mushrooming around the estate. The estate will also have a borehole onsite as well as adequate connection points to the city water supply and sewerage system. Alternative water storage options and a generator to run security lights will also be available.

The estate is set to demystify the unfounded colonial tag that Eastlands is unplanned concrete. Prospective buyers excited by this development say the apartments look similar to those in Kileleshwa or Kilimani that are selling for double the price!

With the planned Southern bypass and upcoming dual carriage Outering Road, the estate will become one of the most accessible areas from any side of the city. Located about 10km from the city centre, East Capital apartments will be a major attraction and a welcome alternative to developments flung far south of the city like Mlolongo, Kitengela and Ngong. It also provides a credible challenge to the overpriced apartments in the west of the city.

According to Parsimei, this integrated housing development will be a ‘signature estate’ and is set for completion in August 2010.

The development is financed by Equity Bank. S&L and other mortgage providers have offered to extend end finance on application.

The estate development team promises "high quality piece of work as all designs and construction are done by consultants of high professional repute and competence whilst the eventual estate management will be done with an eye on quality".