Nice angle Kenguy.^^

Hey Kisumu, this is all great news. Lots of developments coming up. I am specifically interested in the New KCB Towers and just can't wait for the renders for that. I heard it's gonna be quite a large and tall building, do you have any details of that yet?

Best!!! :))

KCB is keeping their proposed Office portfolio under-wraps for some reason. I have contacted the architectural firms that have the project in their to-do list hope I will get some answers. This is now a multinational entity they need to be more forthcoming with such(Crucial) infor.:)

Delta centre and the KMA centre going up in the background.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4921963247_5d943df868_b.jpg

first of all, great pics as always
second, KMA??? what is that???

first of all, great pics as always
second, KMA??? what is that???

KMA stands for Kenya Medical Association. One of the bodies representing doctors in the country.

KMA stands for Kenya Medical Association. One of the bodies representing doctors in the country.

lol!!!!!!!!! i knew that! for some reason i cudnt remember it(i seriously need to go back home)

how tall/big will it(KMA building)be? from the looks of it, it seems expansive than tall

lol!!!!!!!!! i knew that! for some reason i cudnt remember it(i seriously need to go back home)

how tall/big will it(KMA building)be? from the looks of it, it seems expansive than tall

^^
You're right about that.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x110/cmvig512/Africa/62dc.jpg

THE UPPERHILL VIDEO

nVjcFFJC5y4

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/5070289657_03f8256afb_b.jpg

Upperhill from the Nairobi National Park.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1385/5132816961_f17efc7053_b.jpg

By Guet Ndar-flickr.

what is this that is being widened?
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_CIuCEMK_hX4/TNNfSEN7ROI/AAAAAAAA77c/RPnPHo8TOK0/s640/IMG_2002.JPG

and what building is this?

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_CIuCEMK_hX4/TNNCKxKIKHI/AAAAAAAA4mI/qjvO_p9hdEg/s640/IMG_0306.JPG

hey nairobbery,i can't see the images.

Kenya Medical Association - UpperHill

http://www.kma.co.ke/nut/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/vlcsnap-2010-08-21-12h37m40s1421.png

http://www.kma.co.ke/nut/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/vlcsnap-2010-08-21-12h40m45s1821.png
www.kma.co.ke

FINALLYYYY!!!!!


Upperhill roads to get State funding


Head of Civil Servants Francis Muthaura addresses a past press conference PHOTO/ CORRESPONDENT
By Nation CorrespondentPosted Saturday, January 15 2011 at 20:25

The Government will fund infrastructure projects in Nairobi’s Upper Hill area, to enable it become the financial capital of East Africa.

A tender for the area’s first-class road network design has already been awarded, the head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura, revealed on Friday evening.

“Plans for a public service road and rail network rehabilitation are at an advanced stage, and as we do this, we seek more housing facilities in the area,” he said.

He added that there is special attention to Upper Hill because of its strategic position in the city, the reason why many corporate bodies are moving to the area. There are also several government incentives for projects in the housing sector, he said.

For example, importation of building materials, fittings and accessories, which are duty free for projects that boost the tourism industry.

Mr Muthaura was speaking during the official opening of Kamake Gardens Apartments, a 62-bed ultra modern service apartment along Mawenzi Road.

The apartment targets relocating personnel, company executives, diplomats and other high-end clients. It is developed by real estate magnate, Christopher Mwaura.

However, Mr Muthaura urged developers to also target lower and middle income earners as the government’s effort to provide housing to middle and low class cadres is below capacity.

The government has a target to build 150,000 housing units every year but currently manages around 35,000 units, which is 77 per cent below target.

Housing, he said, is part of the government’s way to boost the economy. Also present were Roads assistant minister, Mr Lewis Nguyai and Nairobi PC, Mr Njoroge Ndirangu.


http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Upperhill%20roads%20to%20get%20State%20funding%20/-/1006/1090290/-/6rc5o5z/-/index.html

nice,this was long overdue.

and what building is this?

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_CIuCEMK_hX4/TNNCKxKIKHI/AAAAAAAA4mI/qjvO_p9hdEg/s640/IMG_0306.JPG

Highton plaza I guess...

http://mutuamatheka.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/19_06_rahimtullah.jpg?w=950&h=633

http://mutuamatheka.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/19_06_rahimtullah.jpg?w=950&h=633

Interesting style :) I am suprised.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_36YiopLO8T8/TTYHGEhhdzI/AAAAAAAAAGY/geTyKjbbHVo/s640/IMGP0148.JPG

Interesting style :) I am suprised.
http://mutuamatheka.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/19_06_rahimtullah.jpg?w=950&h=633
Love it..^^

http://kenarch.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/uap-tower-night-view.png?w=640&h=872

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z263/ngari_2007/betfyfs7.jpg

Treasury’s entry into property market sparks surge in prices

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/image/view/-/1077212/medRes/224152/-/maxw/600/-/i31sa9z/-/coca+cola.jpg
A section of the Upper Hill area in Nairobi, which the government is also planning to buy buildings. Photo/FREDRICK ONYANGO

By MWAURA KIMANI
Posted Thursday, December 23 2010 at 00:00

Nairobi’s property market is set for a major pricing shift as the government moves to secure space for its expanded operations under the new Constitution, deepening a supply shortage that has been building up in the past five years. Rental and purchase prices are expected to rise steeply, especially in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) where the government has announced plans to acquire at least 10 buildings, displacing hundreds of private businesses housed within the city centre.

Housing minister Soita Shitanda said plans were on to acquire significant amounts of property in the CBD to accommodate the many officers who will occupy new offices such as the bi-cameral (two-chamber) parliament under the new Constitution. “We intend to secure the whole stretch between Parliament Road and Uhuru Highway from Intercontinental Hotel to Haile Selassie Avenue for use by Parliament,” he said.

The ministry of housing is the buying agent for government property which is owned by Treasury. The new regime also comes with new statutory bodies such as the Commission on Revenue Allocation, Commission for the Implementation of the New Constitution and a devolved system of Government whose officers will require additional office space.

The number of workers in the Central government increased from 187,000 in 2006 to 215,000 in 2009 as the government filled gaps at the support staff level left by a retrenchment in 2000 that were hindering efficiency. Mr Shitanda told Business Daily that the Government plans to buy close to 10 buildings in central Nairobi, Upper Hill and Kilimani to meet the rising demand for office space.

Market data shows that the supply of office space is currently trailing demand, piling pricing pressure that is expected to build up with the entry of government in the market. “We are bringing at least 700,000 square foot of space to the market every year against demand of more than one million,” said Reginald Okumu, a director at Ark Consultants — a property developer. “Should the government seek more space to house the expanded bureaucracy under the current supply situation, it is highly likely that the cost of renting or buying office space will rise,” said Mr Okumu.

Demand pressure for office space is also expected to come from the private sector as businesses acquire additional space they need to expand their activities as the economy gathers pace. “The government will definitely be looking for premium space that is not readily available, a situation that is likely to add upward pressure on pricing,” said James Ruitha, the managing director at National Housing Corporation. “It will add to an already tight situation in the office space market especially in Nairobi’s Central Business District. Besides, as the state takes more space in the CBD, other tenants or property buyers will be pushed to the outskirts of the city adding upward pressure to pricing across the board,” he added.

In recent months, Nairobi has been under intense commercial and office space scramble as businesses, especially retail operators such as supermarkets, pharmacies, food outlets and groceries expand their footprints to cope with rising consumer demand. Property developers said delay in completion of some commercial buildings has left a serious supply shortage for office in the market. It was expected that an estimated 1.5 million square feet of commercial floor, under development since last year, would be ready for occupation this year but that did not happen leaving a wide gap in the market..

SOURCE: (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/image/view/-/1077212/medRes/224152/-/maxw/600/-/i31sa9z/-/coca%2Bcola.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate%2520News/Treasurys%2520entry%2520into%2520property%2520market%2520sparks%2520surge%2520in%2520prices/-/539550/1077204/-/r7foquz/-/index.html&usg=__AhslbwoNEND3fSyNi2hKe8kuxHA=&h=300&w=595&sz=62&hl=en&start=93&sig2=fTV6oFS4E8zQzlkRjN9kkA&zoom=1&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=H_MIW4_Uv3smBM:&tbnh=68&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dupper%2Bhill%2Bnairobi%26start%3D80%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1R2GPEA_en%26ndsp%3D20%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=fFVITbnzNIausAP-vb3lAQ)

Rates on Leading Property
Markets address in Nairobi
http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/image/view/-/1077214/medRes/224139/-/w/300/-/1ktxqq/-/office.jpg
Not bad at all.^^

^^
That means more than a quarter of the CBD will host government offices...Im smelling more towers getting built soon to accomodate everyone else.

^^
That means more than a quarter of the CBD will host government offices...Im smelling more towers getting built soon to accomodate everyone else.

Call it BIG GOVERNMENT. the cancellation of 'Harambee Hse II' UpperHill was a huge drawback in housing government Depts, its most likely the government will purchase some medium sized storey premises in the CBD and revamp them for occupation as they did with the PM's 'BP/Shell House' offices(..but with less abundantment I suppose).

Currently there is a proposed tower to house the ministry of Energy that is to be built outside of the CBD; already competative bids have been submitted hopefully something will be forthcoming to this front.

Call it BIG GOVERNMENT. the cancellation of 'Harambee Hse II' UpperHill was a huge drawback in housing government Depts, its most likely the government will purchase some medium sized storey premises in the CBD and revamp them for occupation as they did with the PM's 'BP/Shell House' offices(..but with less abundantment I suppose).

Currently there is a proposed tower to house the ministry of Energy that is to be built outside of the CBD; already competative bids have been submitted hopefully something will be forthcoming to this front.

If all government offices combined could take up that much office space in the CBD, Im curious as to how big the Harambee house project would have been. I know they acquired protection house for senators offices.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5095/5528724121_944294b605_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5539309867_77c5ba10a5_b.jpg

^^ Thats a nice pic Kenguy,a forming skyline!:cheers:

^^ Thats a nice pic Kenguy,a forming skyline!:cheers:

^^
Thanx. I took it from T-Mall. :)

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z263/ngari_2007/DSC_1994.jpg

^^
Soon, that parking lot will have to go. If Im not wrong, the KCB tower will get built on one of those empty lots. There's also a new tower U/C at the back of Zep-Re building. If the pic was taken today, you would not see times tower in the background.

Nice to see Upper Hill being filled with iconic mid-sized buildings. In future I think there would be a bit of towers as the availability of land becomes limited.

^^
Soon, that parking lot will have to go. If Im not wrong, the KCB tower will get built on one of those empty lots. There's also a new tower U/C at the back of Zep-Re building. If the pic was taken today, you would not see times tower in the background.

I just hope that the new contructions will bear in mind the inclusion of underground parking to ease the pressure on the diminishing prime spaces.

0ckP2Uq7qPU

Wider shot of my previous pic.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/5584631876_a3bb5f0648_b.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z8/kenyandude/114.jpg

Wow Kenya is on fire, way to kenya i,m f proud of my country. Nice job for showcasing our city to the world it is brand Kenya indirectly. Bravo!! Love ma country and my people. The best people on earth, tuwache ubaguzi wa mali na ukabila, Kenya isonge mbele.

http://theazalea.co.ke/images/scene01.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46993069@N04/5666511794/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46993069@N04/5666511794/in/photostream

There you go.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5069/5666511794_e53c9d9a05_z.jpg

Took a walk in Upperhill today. I think we should brace ourselves for some more buildings popping up soon. The road just below Victoria towers (Elgon road) is just packed with large construction sites now. All of them are busy blasting the foundations out of the rocky ground and using heavy earthmovers. The holes being dug out look pretty deep. Same case goes for the KCB bank tower site where they have started work on the foundation.

I hope to take pics soon.

Took a walk in Upperhill today. I think we should brace ourselves for some more buildings popping up soon. The road just below Victoria towers (Elgon road) is just packed with large construction sites now. All of them are busy blasting the foundations out of the rocky ground and using heavy earthmovers. The holes being dug out look pretty deep. Same case goes for the KCB bank tower site where they have started work on the foundation.

I hope to take pics soon.

Is it the spot where there were some car wash just near the junction?i saw that area faced off in december.

Took a walk in Upperhill today. I think we should brace ourselves for some more buildings popping up soon. The road just below Victoria towers (Elgon road) is just packed with large construction sites now. All of them are busy blasting the foundations out of the rocky ground and using heavy earthmovers. The holes being dug out look pretty deep. Same case goes for the KCB bank tower site where they have started work on the foundation.

I hope to take pics soon.

I don't know if its just me or reality will unfortunately prove my fears right one day.While i'm fine with these developments i'm fearful of whats ahead in terms of rd capacity.The main reason driving developers & corporate kenya to upper hill is congestion in downtown CBD.If you think of how wide Kenyatta Av is but still has traffic issues then I can see future problems in upper hill given that no streets are as wide there.If we don't start to make wide boulevards in this place then corporate kenya will one day have to move again.This is the same issue that brought the rds ministry to consider razing some buildings on mombasa rd and i wonder if we'll ever learn on city planning.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5679309618_04bfc1b8df_b.jpg

I don't know if its just me or reality will unfortunately prove my fears right one day.While i'm fine with these developments i'm fearful of whats ahead in terms of rd capacity.The main reason driving developers & corporate kenya to upper hill is congestion in downtown CBD.If you think of how wide Kenyatta Av is but still has traffic issues then I can see future problems in upper hill given that no streets are as wide there.If we don't start to make wide boulevards in this place then corporate kenya will one day have to move again.This is the same issue that brought the rds ministry to consider razing some buildings on mombasa rd and i wonder if we'll ever learn on city planning.

The government pledged to widen the roads. They have started with Hospital road. In any case, the corporate bodies and embassies on the hill can surely afford to revamp the infrastructure in the area if the government fails to keep their word.

Is it the spot where there were some car wash just near the junction?i saw that area faced off in december.

I think thats the area. That whole street will radically change starting from the junction with Hospital road where KCB is getting built right down to the other end near the Kadhis court.

I think thats the area. That whole street will radically change starting from the junction with Hospital road where KCB is getting built right down to the other end near the Kadhis court.

That street is just ripe for a whole row of skyscrapers.By the way kenguy,in december they were reconstructing Upper Hill Road and widening it.It's the road that links upper hill to haile selassie avenue.It starts at haile selassie then ends somewhere near the CBA building at the junction.Are you able to get some pics of that "new" road if it is complete.

Landmark Plaza in Upper Hill

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2078/5730732623_2601c75414_b.jpg

yeah, the landmark plaza is a beauty

Landmark Plaza in Upper Hill

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2078/5730732623_2601c75414_b.jpg

^^
I took that pic from the Nairobi hospital. Looks like you got to post it before I did. :lol:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3344/5746264156_6727fe0e97_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3344/5746264156_6727fe0e97_b.jpg

I like this building...very modern

I like this building...very modern

Me too. I can't wait for the TZ embassy to get built.

Nairobi Hospital expansion.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2691/5754974896_382b94f98d_b.jpg

Nairobi Hospital expansion.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2691/5754974896_382b94f98d_b.jpg

This hospital has the largest land available for expansion and i wonder why they just build 4 floors of building always. Is there a rule that hospitals cannot be taller? I doubt since Kenyatta is taller than that. The need to hospital services is great in our nation and there is a great opportunity for this great hospital to bring services that take our people out of the country home. We have the professionals and if we don;t we can train them here. Lets not sell our opportunities abroad. Keep the money here by introducing new health care services which take our people out of the country please. I know this hospital can!!

but how many cases of suicide have you heard from Kenyatta...av heard several including a case wea some guy jumped from the 9th floor and landed on the 8th floor coz of the wind...

This hospital has the largest land available for expansion and i wonder why they just build 4 floors of building always. Is there a rule that hospitals cannot be taller? I doubt since Kenyatta is taller than that. The need to hospital services is great in our nation and there is a great opportunity for this great hospital to bring services that take our people out of the country home.

When it comes to hospitals, we look at services offered not the buildings. Nairobi hospital is definitely one of the best hospitals (if not the best) in the region.

We have the professionals and if we don;t we can train them here. Lets not sell our opportunities abroad. Keep the money here by introducing new health care services which take our people out of the country please. I know this hospital can!!

Hence the expansion...I heard they wanted to build a presidential wing sometime back. I'm curious if this is the one.

Embankment plaza, finally getting its cladding.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3662/5770768013_c2001d72af_b.jpg

To compare with Johannesburg..

Upper Hill is kind of like Nairobi's Sandton, am I correct?

To compare with Johannesburg..

Upper Hill is kind of like Nairobi's Sandton, am I correct?

Financially speaking, yes...without the stock exchange. *(which I think will move here as well in a few years)

I hope Nairobi doesnt become Joburg though and let its CBD deteriorate. Since Upper Hill and the CBD are relatively close together I think they should just merge and become one large CBD. African cities whould learn from each others mistakes.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/5793062529_75c01764e7_b.jpg

I hope Nairobi doesnt become Joburg though and let its CBD deteriorate. Since Upper Hill and the CBD are relatively close together I think they should just merge and become one large CBD. African cities whould learn from each others mistakes.

Nairobi is lucky unlike jo'burg to experience a massive late revitalisation during esp 80's and 90's when mordern architecture specifically the use of glass and alumininium was gaining wide acceptance thus there were not so much widespread deterioration of the old CBD structures unlike the one's on the CBD-peripheri. The closest development that would see the CBD and Upperhill form one big urban sprawl is if the Kenya Railways proposed developments take place(Still watching this space).

The only thing in the way of the two districts is Uhuru Park.

http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/4445/nairobicbd1.jpg

The only thing in the way of the two districts is Uhuru Park.



And that together with Railway club(Beneath Uhuru park on the map) are pretty much untouchable, thus the green-buffer will always largely exist, but just over the Railway Golf Club towards Nyayo stadium/Indu' that's where the Railways development(while retaining the golfing greens) were slated and they were supposed to cross over Uhuru Highway through a fly over and border the Railway station on the other side of Nairobi CBD outlay.

And that together with Railway club(Beneath Uhuru park on the map) are pretty much untouchable, thus the green-buffer will always largely exist, but just after you pass the Railway Golf Club towards Nyayo stadium/Indu' that's where the Railways development were slated and they were supposed to cross over Uhuru Highway and border the Railway station on the other side of Nairobi CBD.

Interesting, Uhuru Park looks nice but isnt it a crime hotspot?

Interesting, Uhuru Park looks nice but isnt it a crime hotspot?

Not that I know, Its a recreational and national Parading facility occasionally petty crimes like pickpocketing do takes place haphazardly though coz its just an open acreage. This half of Nairobi is definately not even close to being a crime hotspot.

I hope Nairobi doesnt become Joburg though and let its CBD deteriorate. Since Upper Hill and the CBD are relatively close together I think they should just merge and become one large CBD. African cities whould learn from each others mistakes.

Hmm, interesting you bring that up. This pic:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5145/5655135052_1350fa5a82_b.jpg

upper hill & CBD if I'm right. Distance between them doesn't look too great, and if you can tell in the background they've got some mid/high-rises between them. Hopefully that gap is filled, and I'm sure in say another ten years or so the two skylines will connect.

Clumsy pic. My apologies in advance. :)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2603/5811535381_5f4a6fb6c8_b.jpg

^^^^

I like how quickly upper hill is getting dense.

^^^^

I like how quickly upper hill is getting dense.With classic buildings.:banana:

I wonder why towers are not coming up!I mean skyscrapers are not coming up in Upper Hill or the CBD.

With classic buildings.:banana:

I wonder why towers are not coming up!I mean skyscrapers are not coming up in Upper Hill or the CBD.

Several reasons

1.the CBD is practically full,so unless a company will buy and demolish 4 story buildings,i do not expect CBD to get any new scrapers for a long time.
2.The land rates in the CBD are prohibitive.
3.The cost of building nhas shot up.A bag of cement costs almost twice as much as it did 5 years ago.Many companies cannot afford to have 25 floor plus scrapers.
4.Unlike the residential property market,the commercial property market is almost saturated..Office space is everywhere,from Ngong road,to westlands,to upper hill etc.Not everyone needs an office,but everyone needs a home,An investor would rather venture into residential real estate,where the market is still experiencing a boom.Investors are also realising that the nairobi has a shortage of luxury rooms i.e 5 star hotels.Hence the boom with new 5 star hotels planned.

Several reasons

1.the CBD is practically full,so unless a company will buy and demolish 4 story buildings,i do not expect CBD to get any new scrapers for a long time.
2.The land rates in the CBD are prohibitive.
3.The cost of building nhas shot up.A bag of cement costs almost twice as much as it did 5 years ago.Many companies cannot afford to have 25 floor plus scrapers.
4.Unlike the residential property market,the commercial property market is almost saturated..Office space is everywhere,from Ngong road,to westlands,to upper hill etc.Not everyone needs an office,but everyone needs a home,An investor would rather venture into residential real estate,where the market is still experiencing a boom.Investors are also realising that the nairobi has a shortage of luxury rooms i.e 5 star hotels.Hence the boom with new 5 star hotels planned.



True, skyscrapers seem hard to come by in Nairobi. The NSSF Hazina Trade Centre Tower is the only one I know which is on the way above Nakumatt Lifestyle, its been long coming since they completed the 4 storey base where Nakumatt Lifestyle sits. The other promised government tower in upper hill will be another one if it comes to be. There might be need to establish another location/business site outside existing ones where skyscrapers can be built. It could be just outside of Nairobi, and what a better opportunity than the under discussion/investigation financial center to be.

There you go.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5069/5666511794_e53c9d9a05_z.jpg

YUMMY!!!! :cheers:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z8/kenyandude/DSCF7624.jpg

^^ One of the sexiest Buildings in Nairobi


I really like that building :cheers:

KMA centre.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/5840252966_5fefb9bbc6_b.jpg

What does KMA stand for?

What does KMA stand for?

Kenya Medical Association. One of the bodies that represents doctors in the country. That building is meant to house medical consultants just like other buildings like Landmark plaza, Nelson Awori centre, Upperhill Medical Centre e.t.c. which are all around Upperhill.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2697/5740083750_1d3cac2ff5_b.jpg

Kenya Medical Association. One of the bodies that represents doctors in the country. That building is meant to house medical consultants just like other buildings like Landmark plaza, Nelson Awori centre, Upperhill Medical Centre e.t.c. which are all around Upperhill.

Ah ok. Thanks.

Looks great.

http://ovhimg02.icplatform.com/A/20110330/dealfishcoke/5/115615_1301491244_1_644x461.jpg

From the Upperhill Medical Centre parking lot.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6012/6001945436_209629ff7c_b.jpg

The new parking silo at NSSF.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6015/6014591352_afd23dfb5e_b.jpg

Nice Upper Hill is gonna need a couple of those due to the fast growth of the area.

Nice Upper Hill is gonna need a couple of those due to the fast growth of the area.

Yeah. Unless Nairobians leave their cars (which is a near impossibility).

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6148/6001738479_5f38910c2a_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/6002276396_63862cf812_b.jpg

why are so many buildings gated?

why are so many buildings gated?

It's more of an inherited colonial urban-cultural practice coupled by Kenya's own version of institutionalised capitalism than anything else. But in the suburbs the security factor and individualised space claim comes to play.

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/image/view/-/1077212/medRes/224152/-/maxw/600/-/i31sa9z/-/coca+cola.jpg
Coca-Cola EA Upper Hill NBO nation.co.ke.

I like the idea of gated buildings. It's mostly about security coz even some buildings in town are gated like KICC and Times Tower to control access

^^ they aren't bad when it's something KICC are gated, etc. But when you have many regular homes and businesses gated inside the city then it becomes a problem. Gives the impression of high crime rates.

Noticed another building coming up behind the Crowne Plaza hotel. Its not tall but has some interesting design (a series of triangles covering a rectangular low rise building). I don't have any pics at the moment though for this project.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6157/6168502387_4bd8c162a1_b.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/yusufkibaya/6168502387/

Wow superp photo SE9 ^^

Most likely taken from the Equity bank HQ. If you look at the far right corner at the bottom of the pic, you will notice a green fence. That's the site for the new KCB tower U/C across the road.

Good news, all those small roads will be history by next year. They are currently recarpeting and expanding the roads there.

Most likely taken from the Equity bank HQ. If you look at the far right corner at the bottom of the pic, you will notice a green fence. That's the site for the new KCB tower U/C across the road.

Good news, all those small roads will be history by next year. They are currently recarpeting and expanding the roads there.

Thats good news indeed.Considering the jams and future growth in traffic as well as new towers in the area i hope the roads will at least be 3 by 3s.

Thats good news indeed.Considering the jams and future growth in traffic as well as new towers in the area i hope the roads will at least be 3 by 3s.

I don't think they will be 3 by 3's. They are still going to be the same old two way streets but wider and with proper pavements.

Traffic jams in the Upperhill area are usually on or around Ngong road and not on the smaller roads within Upperhill itself.

I don't think they will be 3 by 3's. They are still going to be the same old two way streets but wider and with proper pavements.

Traffic jams in the Upperhill area are usually on or around Ngong road and not on the smaller roads within Upperhill itself.



They should build wide roads, not the usual two way streets all over which cause lots of jams and end up wasting people time. Let them build wide 3 lanes roads or at least dual lanes both sides, pavements and bicycle paths. If they cannot dream big the feel good attitude among the investors will also wane and make them not be motivated to invest in infrastructure in the area like in bug and better buildings. The feel good attitude is what drives many business =es and is a huge part of expenditure decisions. If the govt is doing it private sector will want to follow suit!! All related!!

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Love this pic. Thanx Statiq. :)

I'm guessing you took it from the funny Diamond shaped building.

^^ Thanx kenguy, I'm not the one who took the photos but yeah, they were taken from the building

http://kenarch.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/uap-tower-skyline-perspective.png

Is Upper Hill pedestrian-friendly like the CBD?

Is Upper Hill pedestrian-friendly like the CBD?

just a few streets.Hopefully the government is working on making all of the roads pedestrian friendly.

just a few streets.Hopefully the government is working on making all of the roads pedestrian friendly.

The streets are currently being redone. When complete, I'm guessing early 2013, all of Upperhill should be pedestrian friendly.

^^:cheer:

Previously posted by Chui in the Nairobi gallery.

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Pic 2.

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you gotta love holdouts like the one in this pic. whoever owns that land in the middle of the picture is gonna make a killing one day.

you gotta love holdouts like the one in this pic. whoever owns that land in the middle of the picture is gonna make a killing one day.

I'm hoping they hold out long enough until the demand for taller skyscrapers (60+) arises.

Office block rising in the community area.

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Looks like its quite a sizeable one coming up.But i also like sign there about some GoK office block renovations.We could use more of that on old office blocks.

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Great shots Kenguy. :cheers:

Intersting panorama...http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/de/Upper_Hill_Panorama.jpg

Nice. Thanx Mwana. :)

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Road construction.

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I'm hoping they hold out long enough until the demand for taller skyscrapers (60+) arises.

i dunno, imo upperhill is played out now (or will be super soon) and it's time for *****s to start thinking outside the box (outside nairobi) for places to put 60+ floor buildings

i dunno, imo upperhill is played out now (or will be super soon) and it's time for *****s to start thinking outside the box (outside nairobi) for places to put 60+ floor buildings

They can only put up those buildings where there is the demand for them. In the short term, chances are it will be within the Nairobi metro area. There is still land in Upper Hill. Think about those colonial bungalows, local pubs e.t.c. that still dot the area. When the price is right, I'm sure the owners will move out eventually.

Community District

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I just never have enough of these Upper Hill shots. The combination of skyscrapers and greenery is beautiful.

i dunno, imo upperhill is played out now (or will be super soon) and it's time for *****s to start thinking outside the box (outside nairobi) for places to put 60+ floor buildings

It's all about demand... if Upper Hill has the infrastructure and security, companies will continue to demand office space there.

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UpperHill Insert Coca Cola EA HQ.

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In something like 5 years, this place will have a good concentration of glassy buildings if you have noticed all the U/C going on.;)

However, the upper hill area sure does have narrow navigatable streets for traffic, reminds me of present -day modern Rome. they build but do not expand on roads, the better to get hatchbacks?

Random shots upperhill
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i dunno, imo upperhill is played out now (or will be super soon) and it's time for *****s to start thinking outside the box (outside nairobi) for places to put 60+ floor buildings

Am thinking of Eastlands, could a business district do good for its dilapidated infrustructure?

Am thinking of Eastlands, could a business district do good for its dilapidated infrustructure?

Where in Eastlands? It is already congested.

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They probably need to work on the pavements around this area.

Elgon road. This part of upperhill is now one long line of construction projects with cranes stretching along most of its length. The projects range from KCB tower on one end of the road to office towers and a hotel (Raddisson blu).

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They probably need to work on the pavements around this area.

They will. Thats part of the ongoing road construction projects as seen in the pics.

Section of the Upperhill skyline, the crane in the pic is where the KCB tower is rising (the barely noticable green structure behind the Geomaps centre in the foreground.) That will make a nice cluster of bank buildings: World Bank, Equity Bank, Kenya Commercial Bank. :)

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Where in Eastlands? It is already congested.

Eastlands is not congested, it's neglected. A neglected place will look congested as unnecessary traffic jams are all over and poor planning and housing makes the place look more congested than it is.
My reasoning however is Eastlands has many unapproved structures which could be pulled down to create space for better ones

Here's another project, on hospital road just next to the Kenyatta National Hospital's doctors quarters. No name yet but its got to be at least 10-15 floors going by the render on the site.

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^^
The tower U/C in the last post belongs to Real Insurance. I guess that will be their new HQ's.

Eastlands is not congested, it's neglected. A neglected place will look congested as unnecessary traffic jams are all over and poor planning and housing makes the place look more congested than it is.
My reasoning however is Eastlands has many unapproved structures which could be pulled down to create space for better ones

very true. I think Eastleigh could be a business district on its own if the gava actually paid attention to it and developed the infrastracture. Especially now that Somalia seems to be getting its act together Eastleigh could play a major role in Somalia since many somalis live there and it can serve as a base of operations for the reconstruction of the country. This would definitly contribute greatly to the Kenyan economy. But alas! Our leaders are more concerned with robbing the country than thinking outside the box! :bash::ohno::bash::bash:

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There's a wierd triangular shaped building coming up behind the Crowne Plaza hotel. I had a hard time taking pics.

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I love the shots Kenguy.More please...:)

^^Now that is what a pedestrian-friendly street should look like.

KCB tower U/C.

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KCB tower U/C.

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Kenguy great work, last time I checked they were still on the foundation.

Kenguy great work, last time I checked they were still on the foundation.

I guess they are now on the 6th floor as we speak. There's another tower coming up behind the CBA headquarters that always eludes my camera. I haven't succeeded in taking clear pics of it yet.

I really like the developments in Nairobi, very impresive but my consern is that other cities have yet to really experience this boom. The only way forward for the country as whole is to have development all over the country. Kisumu could be a massive industrial, fishery and comercial hub able to compete with Uganda, Mombasa has also been neglected and Naks is not developing fast enough not to mention Eldoret. We have to dream big folks.
Finaly, as a soccer fan, I wish we would develop stadiums so that we can host international events like the African Nations Cup, African games and in the future even the Olympics.

thats a big building! i must admit that i underestimated it

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