Investor planning classy accommodation in Runda for short-stay clients

A development in Runda Estate in Nairobi along the Northern Bypass on October 30, 2013. An investor is planning to put up 121, three-storey residential units targeting international civil servants and expatriates in the upmarket Runda. The Sh843 million development by Runda Gardens Development Ltd will sit on 30 acres and will include a school and a community centre. PHOTO | FILE 

In Summary

• The units will target those looking for quality accommodation but do not plan to live there for long periods.
• The diplomatic blue zone, which comprises Runda and Gigiri, is preferred by those working in the area as it means short drives to their places of work.
• Runda Estate was developed in 1972 in response to the demand for better housing for international staff working with UN organisations. The area was once a large coffee estate owned by various firms, with three coffee processing factories.

By DN2 CORRESPONDENT
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An investor is planning to put up 121, three-storey residential units targeting international civil servants and expatriates in the upmarket Runda.

The Sh843 million development by Runda Gardens Development Ltd will sit on 30 acres and will include a school and a community centre.

The units will target those looking for quality accommodation but do not plan to live there for long periods.

The development in Nairobi’s diplomatic blue zone will add to the housing choices for foreigners and locals working at the United Nations Complex, as well as at the US and Canadian embassies.

The diplomatic blue zone, which comprises Runda and Gigiri, is preferred by those working in the area as it means short drives to their places of work.

Runda Gardens has added the 800-pupil school as a further enticement. The school is will have  facilities such as a basketball court, swimming pool and a drop zone.

“The proposed school will have a British education system consisting of elementary, primary and secondary levels,” the report adds.

IRRESISTIBLE ADDRESS

“The nursery will have one level, lower primary two levels, upper primary three levels, forms one to four three levels and two levels for Form Five and Six.”

“The area is slowly becoming popular with business executives, international dignitaries and expatriates looking for rental housing,” says a report on the development presented to the National Environment Management Authority (Nema).

“The tenancy terms and conditions will be determined by the choice of the proponent, who will employ an estate management company to act on his behalf,” it adds.

Runda, which has for decades attracted high-income earners, remain irresistible, especially with the construction of the Northern Bypass, which provides a direct route to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

Runda Estate was developed in 1972 in response to the demand for better housing for international staff working with UN organisations. The area was once a large coffee estate owned by various firms, with three coffee processing factories.

There will be three types of houses but each will have four bedrooms plus accompanying features like lobby, lounge and domestic servant quarters.

The developer is also looking to provide multiple security features including closed-circuit television cameras, electric fences and contracted security companies.

The project has received mixed reactions from the area residents, although it is expected to see the value of land in the vicinity rise, better infrastructure and an improvement in security.

However, there are those who are worried about construction-related issues like dust and noise, as well as an increase in the population.