Firm opts for 13-floor housing project near CBD

Residential apartments in Upper Hill, Nairobi. Houses near the central business district are in high demand. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NMG 

By JAMES KARIUKI

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Summary

• Ultraline Ltd in an application to vary an earlier approved hotel plan said its feasibility study showed residential development on the 1.81 acres yields higher returns thus the change of heart.
• The first to eleventh floors will accommodate typical three-bedroom apartments each with 18 detached servant quarters on each floor, as the 12th floor hosts 17 three-bedroom units.
• The top floor will have 16 three-bedroom units with 18 detached servant quarters.

A developer has abandoned plans to construct an 11-floor Parklands hotel in favour of a 13-storey residential project as demand for accommodation near Nairobi central business district rises.

Ultraline Ltd in an application to vary an earlier approved hotel plan said its feasibility study showed residential development on the 1.81 acres yields higher returns thus the change of heart.

The firm said its 13-floor development hosting 249 housing units would help reduce the national housing deficit that currently stands at 200,000 units a year.

“The motivation for the establishment of the project is the existing high demand for affordable apartments and flats on Donyo Sabuk Lane, Parklands area in Nairobi.

The new applications vary from the earlier approved plan for the 11-floor hotel,” it said.

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The new property will have six basement floors that will accommodate 789 vehicles as well as 12 housing units on the fourth, third, second and uppermost basement floors.

The plan indicates that the ground floor will host a tenants-only swimming pool, an indoor basketball court, indoor games area, a gym with a sauna room as well as a children’s playing ground next to six residential units. The ground floor, due to its high traffic and activities, will also host a coffee shop and a residential caretaker office next to a children’s daycare centre.

The application prepared by an environmental impact assessment firm to the National Environment Management Authority supported approval of the new project saying it will unlock capital, generate jobs, revenue.

The first to eleventh floors will accommodate typical three-bedroom apartments each with 18 detached servant quarters on each floor, as the 12th floor hosts 17 three-bedroom units.

The top floor will have 16 three-bedroom units with 18 detached servant quarters.