Centum rolls out lifestyle housing projects in Kenya, Uganda

An artist's impression of Cascadia Apartments.

Investment firm Centum is making an aggressive entry into the emerging lifestyle housing market. A number of its latest high-end developments dot the wider Nairobi and the coastal part of Kenya.

Across the border, the Sh66 billion company is making inroads into Uganda. The projects are being undertaken under Pearl Marina Estates and comprise the Bella Vista Apartments, Riviera and Mirabella Residences.

“Pearl Marina is a 389-acre mixed-use development located in the Garuga Peninsula on the shores of Lake Victoria near Entebbe, Uganda, with over three-kilometre lake frontage and magnificent views of Lake Victoria,” says Centum Real Estate’s Head of Sales Gitonga Muriithi.

In Kenya, such “futuristic” cities are set to be pioneered by four projects on the outskirts of Nairobi and the Coast. At Centum’s Two Rivers Mall in Ruaka, the firm’s residential flagship project, Riverbank Apartments, will have amenities and facilities like ample parking space, a fully-equipped gym, seven-aside soccer pitch, club house, children play area, half Olympic swimming pool, and a spa.

Muriithi says Centum’s signature residential project at Two Rivers will be the Cascadia Apartments (impression pictured above) , which he says comes with “much superior design and amenities”.

Muriithi says Cascadia Apartments will have resident lounges, half Olympic-size swimming pool, mini-park, kids play area, walkway promenade, seven-aside football pitch and a fully-equipped gym.

The Sh2.1 billion project, comprising 140 apartment units and duplex villas, is expected to be completed by June 2020.

Muriithi says Centum is at an advanced stage in setting up affordable housing units in Kiambu, Dagoretti and other locations across the country.

The firm also has its Vipingo project coming up at the coast. “Palm Ridge Estate is an exclusive affordable housing development set on 20 acres within a controlled environment,” he says, adding that the gated community project comprises one- to three-bedroom apartments ranging from Sh2.3 million to Sh4.6 million.