courtesy of kisumu ndogo

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/images/apartment_external2.jpg
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http://www.englishpointmarina.com/images/cafe.jpghttp://www.englishpointmarina.com/images/development.jpg

EnglishPoint Marina is contemporary development. It offers apartments living in the comfort, luxury and security of a hotel and will be managed by the award winning team of the Pinewood Village Beach Resort.

Onsite facilities include a hotel, restaurant, spa & gym, serviced marina, water-sport centre, boardwalk with retail outlets and underground car parking. EnglishPoint is located on a 4 acre beach front site, across the creek from the historic Fort Jesus and spectacular skyline of Mombasa old town.

All apartments for purchase have a high standard of specification including:
Air conditioning
Modern fitted kitchens with integrated appliances
Modern fitted bathrooms
Solar hot water
Utility room with washer/dryer
Internet, satellite and telephone outlets in all rooms
Secure underground car parking with storage facility
Lilfts and staircases to all above-ground apartments
Communal infinity swimming pool, beach and jacuzzi
Hotel facilities and servicing available to apartment owners
Opportunity to rent your apartment through the hotel for investment purposes
24 Hour security including CCTV, guards and security lighting
Free membership to the Nyali Golf Club

LOCATION
EnglishPoint is situated on a beautiful white sandy beach, with full access to the warm waters of the English Point creek and spectacular views of Mombasa old town, Fort Jesus and Old Mombasa harbour.

HOTEL
23 Air conditioned rooms, 3 suites, 24-hour reception, rooftop breakfast restaurant, rooftop meeting room and conference facility. Apartments can also be part of the hotel inventory - an opportunity for investors to sub-lease their apartments to the hotel.

RESTAURANT
Restaurant with spectacular views straddling the beach and sea with indoor and outdoor seating. International standard cuisine and management. Preferential arrangement for residents.

SPA & GYM
Fantastic waterfront location with full unobstructed view of the marina and beyond. Preferential arrangement for residents.

MARINA
East Africa's first floating pontoon marina. Fully serviced with on-berth supply of fresh water, electricity, internet, satellite TV, fuel, pump out facilities and slipway. 88 berths from 6m to 30m with access to full hotel services. Security and Management Centre.

FERRY SERVICE
Unique shuttle service for residents and guests across the creek to Mombasa old town. Bypasses the busy Nyali Bridge for direct access to Mombasa Island and the airport.

WATER-SPORT CENTRE
Comprehensive facilities for water-sports including deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, windsurfing, kite-surfing, sea safaris and creek excursions.

RETAIL
Space located in the hotel block and on the boardwalk for a potential small supermarket, bank, travel shop, coffee shops and gift shop.

SWIMMING POOL / JACUZZI / POOL DECK
Spectacular sea front location with unobstructed view of Mombasa old town and Fort Jesus. For apartment and hotel residents only, includes a fully serviced pool bar.

UNDERGROUND CAR PARK
Facility for the safe and secure storage of vehicles and personal belongings. One secure entrance and exit. Each space to have a floor and ceiling locker. Allocation of one car park per apartment. Additional spaces for sale. Serviced by lifts and stairs to apartments above.^^

Infor: www.englishpointmarina.com/facilities.html (http://www.englishpointmarina.com/facilities.html)
__________________

^^the way to go:cheers::applause:

Great project for Mombasa & entire Kenyan coast, cannot wait to see its completion.^^

Wow, that going to be one great project.

This is what Id like the whole of South coast to have.:cheers: I like the view with the Mombasa skyline.

MORE..

LIFESTYLE: ENGLISH POINT
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Brief About EnglishPoint Marina
EnglishPoint Marina is contemporary development. It offers apartments living in the comfort, luxury and security of a hotel and will be managed by the award winning team of the Pinewood Village Beach Resort.

Onsite facilities include a hotel, restaurant, spa & gym, serviced marina, water-sport centre, boardwalk with retail outlets and underground car parking. EnglishPoint is located on a 4 acre beach front site, across the creek from the historic Fort Jesus and spectacular skyline of Mombasa old town.

All apartments for purchase have a high standard of specification including:

Air conditioning
Modern fitted kitchens with integrated appliances
Modern fitted bathrooms
Solar hot water
Utility room with washer/dryer
Internet, satellite and telephone outlets in all rooms
Secure underground car parking with storage facility
Lilfts and staircases to all above-ground apartments
Communal infinity swimming pool, beach and jacuzzi
Hotel facilities and servicing available to apartment owners
Opportunity to rent your apartment through the hotel for investment purposes
24 Hour security including CCTV, guards and security lighting
Free membership to the Nyali Golf Club

Larger (Model) Images

http://i45.************/2rfzcdg.jpg
http://i48.************/2jbr428.jpg
http://i50.************/x4nrpw.jpg

Kudos guyz.

Kudos guyz.

Thanx. I got more Clips on this project in my PC will be posting soon.

Great project, great addition to Mombasa and great facility for our tourism industry. More like this will create employment for our people. Any more projects??

Great project, great addition to Mombasa and great facility for our tourism industry. More like this will create employment for our people. Any more projects??

^^they are some projects that we have highlighted in different threads you have sieve through to see for yourself:) for instance they are 3 big shopping malls upcoming in Mombasa, go through and enjoy yourself:)

English Point Marina: High-end marine resort for Mombasa

Investment worrth 4 Billion Ksh($50 m), to Employee over 200 pple - Completion 2012

MOMBASA (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan coast is set to become home of a transformative contemporary hotel development upon the launch of English Point Marina, which is expected to change the tour experience of the country’s coastal city Mombasa.

The marina resort is expected to put Kenya on the map of the huge luxury boat markets in the Mediterranean region, Egypt, Dubai, South Africa and the Far East. Situated on a spectacular water-front across the creek from the Fort Jesus, EnglishPoint Marina will be an iconic and landmark multi use development that will attract an investment of approximately 50 million U.S. dollars.

The property which sits across the magnificent skyline of Mombasa will feature onsite facilities such as a hotel, conferencing facility, a roof-top restaurant, a casino, swimming pool, serviced apartments, sea front restaurant of international standard, spa and gym, boardwalk with retail outlets, underground car parking, water-sport centre and first of its kind serviced marina.

Alnoor Kanji, one of EnglishPoint Marina’s developers said the investment has the ability to open up the high-end international investment market for Kenya as well as the high end tourist market.

This will enhance Kenya’s image and profile.
It is the vision of the developers that EnglishPoint Marina will further attract international boat races, fishing competitions and small luxury charter services capable of private cruises to Lamu, Zanzibar and other coastal destinations.

The development of this hotel concept comes at a time when the local industry is highly optimistic of the growth momentum for the tourism sector.
Recently, Kenya reported a 16 per cent rise in international arrivals for the first quarter of 2010 due to the market diversification efforts which have lured new tourists from China, India and the Gulf region.

Announcing the launch of the development plan for the multi-million dollar project, Tourism Minister, Najib Balala said the project ties in well with Kenya’s development blueprint, the Kenya Vision 2030. Repositioning of the coast circuit, opening under utilized parks and providing niche products are the key drivers towards the government achieving this vision through the tourism sector.

The government aims to make Kenya one of the top 10 long haul tourist destinations, offering diverse and high-end experiences by 2012 to a target five million tourists per year. "With landmark investments such as this, our aim is not a long shot," said Balala. The development has been designed by multi award winning architects, Broadway Malyan in Britain.

Only recently, Mombasa played host to the 100-meter luxury boat owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. Unfortunately, the vessel had to be moored mid-stream with no service facilities. "EnglishPoint will have a fully serviced five-star marina capable of mooring 80 to 100 boats; it is the first of its kind in East Africa," said Kanji.

The Kenyan economy relies heavily on agriculture, tourism and remittances from abroad from its citizens in the Diaspora for economic growth and foreign exchange. Kenya’s services sector, which contributes about 63 percent of GDP, is dominated by tourism.

The sheer magnitude of this five star investment will herald the creation of more jobs in the services sector. The developers project a work force of 400 during the two-year construction phase and a workforce of 200 when the development completed in August 2012.

The apartments will provide a wonderful opportunity for international and local investors to own a piece of this unique development and lifestyle.
EnglishPoint Marina comes on the verge of an anticipated expansion of Mombasa Port which will require high end real estate to accommodate the influx of professionals and managers. Lamu is equally being prepared for Lamu Port, one of Kenya’s biggest infrastructural investments since independence.
http://www.coastweek.com/3325-marina.htm

PROGRESS - PICTORIALS U|C

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LOCATION
http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/090923%20showhome%20site%203.jpg

CONSTRUCTION
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all rights reserved: http://www.englishpointmarina.com

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TO BE CONTINUED..

looks like Mombasa is actually starting to develop a unique skyline!

looks like Mombasa is actually starting to develop a unique skyline!

They should do something about the old town. If only they made people paint the roofs red and the walls white, it would look more presentable.

I Think so long as the middle class is moving away from the-city to surburbs like Nyali the improvement in places like old Town will not happen,unless the government takes action to reverse the situation.

Thanx KN for the updates.

I Think so long as the middle class is moving away from the-city to surburbs like Nyali the improvement in places like old Town will not happen,unless the government takes action to reverse the situation.

That's a sad situation. The same thing has been a norm here in Joburg but things are slowly changing. I have to agree with you that the government must take action.

That's a sad situation. The same thing has been a norm here in Joburg but things are slowly changing. I have to agree with you that the government must take action.

I know the J'burg ver of Old Town is Sophia town - maybe South Western Township(SOWETO), I believe their has since been alot of reconstruction from what it used to be. But I believe the lure of Sandton (& Melville) Is unbeatable esp to the conservative more wealthy whites and ever growing middle class.

Thanx KN for the updates.

Thanx again Ernest' Here's more Updates..

Construction progress - Show Home

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/070310%20(3)%20%20construction%20progress%20-%20show%20home.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/070310%20(2)%20construction%20progress%20-%20show%20home.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/070310%20%20construction%20progress%20-%20show%20home.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/280310%20wall.jpg

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http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/100910%20EP%20Show%20Home%20front.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/100910%20EP%20Show%20Home%20car%20park.jpg

Its coming up nicely. Thanx for the update KN. :cheers:

Nice find KN.I like the progress.

Source: English Point Marina (http://englishpointmarina.com)

Showroom house:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5035837542_195181190c_b.jpg

Construction photos:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/5035221827_8f9eb6d472_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/5035224627_037c0e45f2_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/5035226401_76bbc2ea64_b.jpg

Source: English Point Marina (http://englishpointmarina.com)

Showroom house:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5035837542_195181190c_b.jpg

^^
I can only imagine the cost of this place. Especially one day when Mombasa grows a respectable skyline. The view will definitely be the selling point.

Some more construction photos from their website
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/5164483153_1366b7edc1_z.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1249/5164483833_c29996ce83_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/5164482463_7bf229f170_z.jpg

The ramp basement car park
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/5164481695_81c8947c3b_z.jpg

Couldn´t they find a more Kenyan sounding name? I mean, if you are advertising for tourism, isn´t it proper business sense to have something that reminds tourists of your country rather than your former colonial masters? Or is this a smart ploy to attract "English" tourists to Kenya?

You gotta love the progress work going on here, atleast we can see "progress" unlike many of alot of the projects nowadays! Thanks Kenguy

progress...

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/271010.jpg

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progress...

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It is sooo nice to see serious progress. Seeing someone actually sticking to their schedule. I think this really marks the difference between government and the private sector. Congrats AlNoor for investing in Kenya and setting an example.

This massive, multi-billion marina under construction in Mombasa promises a daily slice of paradise

By GITONGA MARETE and GITHUA KIHARAPosted Wednesday, December 22 2010 at 15:12

When hotelier Alnoor Kanji acquired a four-acre plot along Tudor creek near the Mombasa Showgrounds in 2007, he thought to himself: Why not put up some apartments and sell them off for a quick buck?


But that was before he took his time off one evening and sat there, studying the environment. “At the time we finalised the sale process, I hadn’t seriously thought of the type of investment we were going to put up.

“But after sitting there for a whole three hours, enjoying the luxury of the view, the tranquillity and the ambience, I knew I was sitting on not only a water-front property, but also a monument with huge potential,” he says.

“I went home, called my brother in London and told him we needed to change our game plan. My thinking was that, if we put up apartments and sold them, it would be a disservice to our tourist city.

“We had to come up with a facility that had a public component and boosted our tourism industry” says Kanji, who owns Pinewood Village Beach Resort in South coast.

Having lived in Vancouver, Canada — a town known for its water-front life — for over 10 years in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Kanji was convinced that the best land use they would make of the property was a marina.

From that point on, they started the hunt for the best architects to draw up plans for an international five-star marina complex.

Because of the complex nature of the project, the duo opted for the services of Broadway Malyan, an architectural firm based in London.

And so in two years’ time, the English Point Marina — for that is what the two brothers decided to name their project — will change the sea-front near Fort Jesus, Mombasa.

Estimated to cost Sh4 billion, the extraordinary development will move Mombasa higher up on the world map, and transform the tourist town into a luxury boats facility and water sports destination.

The complex’s four four-storey blocks consisting of 96 three-bedroom apartments and eight five-bedroom penthouses is designed in such a manner that all rooms have a sea view.

The apartment blocks will also be built in an elevated position on the creek overlooking Mombasa Old Town and the 16th-Century Fort Jesus, two important tourist attractions in the region.

The complex will also house a 26-room hotel, a spa, a gym, a five-star international marina, a water sports centre, restaurants and an underground parking lot for about 200 vehicles.

Kanji says the developer will manage the marina, while investors will provide accommodation by renting out their apartments.

The project design indicates that the marina will also be connected to Mombasa Island to ease traffic congestion at the Nyali Bridge, and will also be accessible to the public.

This convenient link with Mombasa Island will enable people to shuttle between Nyali and the town within a very short period of time by just taking a boat from the site Island, where a jetty has existed for centuries.

Keen investors are already lining up to own a section of the marina. Just two months after the contractor broke the ground to lay the foundation for the four apartment blocks, over 20 investors have committed themselves to acquire some of the 96 lifestyle apartments.

With each apartment going for over Sh50 million and the penthouse in the upwards of Sh150 million, Kanji figured that it would be difficult to convince somebody to cough all that money, so he invested in a model apartment adjacent to the property.

The marina will be the first of its kind along the east coast of Africa, and will join two others along the entire eastern coastline, from Cape to Cairo — one in Egypt and the other in South Africa.

It will have a capacity to accommodate 88 boats, with all facilities to cater for the boats that will include service and an oil jetty which, according to tourism industry marketers, will position Kenya, known for its safaris and pristine beaches, as one of the most favourable destinations for high-end tourists.

http://www.nation.co.ke/Features/DN2/Beach%20views%20straight%20from%20a%20postcard/-/957860/1076856/-/52dh5q/-/index.html

Interesting....

That was an entertaining read!

amazing views to city but the name does not suit at all.

Mombasa is purely rich swahili culture...Jamani hamkuweza kupata jina la
ki-mombasa mombasa hivi...yaani?:ohno:

amazing views to city but the name does not suit at all.

Mombasa is purely rich swahili culture...Jamani hamkuweza kupata jina la
ki-mombasa mombasa hivi...yaani?:ohno:

The project is being built along Mombasa's English channel. I guess thats the reason. Hata mimi nigependa jina ya ki-Mombasa.

amazing views to city but the name does not suit at all.

Mombasa is purely rich swahili culture...Jamani hamkuweza kupata jina la
ki-mombasa mombasa hivi...yaani?:ohno:



Ki-mombasa mombasa? LOL. Pia miye ningependelea jina la Kiswahili, lakini yaonekana Kenguy amepata jibu kwa nini inaitwa English Point.

LINDO PROJETO'

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/241110.jpg

Photo via English Point Marina (www.englishpointmarina.com)

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/Kenya%20Institute%20of%20Engineers%20at%20EnglishPoint%20-%20Nov10.jpg

Updates from February 2011
http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/120211%20Rear%20apartment%20balcony.jpg
^^ rear of an apartment block
http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/260211%20Inner%20courtyard%20taking%20shape.jpg
^^ inner court yard
http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/260211%20Basement%20parking.jpg
^^ basement parking

^^ It's on a great location:okay:

More Updates.. I.

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/290311Starting%20Block%20D.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/290311%20Block%20D%20foundations.jpg

II.

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/270311%20Visible%20Block%20A,%20Block%20C,%20foundations%20Block%20D%20&%20boardwalk.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/270311%20Block%20C%20looking%20towards%20Block%20A.jpg

III.

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/250311%20View%20from%20Bohora%20Mosque.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/240311%20View%20from%20Fort%20Jesus.jpghttp://www.englishpointmarina.com/development.html More Updates coming Up.

amazing views to city but the name does not suit at all.

Mombasa is purely rich swahili culture...Jamani hamkuweza kupata jina la
ki-mombasa mombasa hivi...yaani?:ohno:

I agree with you

I really love this project........this is just one of tha infant steps to making Mombasa an African tourist capital. anyway, the name dissapoints me coz tha project is fully Kenyan. Maybe they did that coz Britons are Kenyas most valued tourists

I was in Mombasa n the finished project is no different from tha designs hia........wow!

I really love this project........this is just one of tha infant steps to making Mombasa an African tourist capital. anyway, the name dissapoints me coz tha project is fully Kenyan. Maybe they did that coz Britons are Kenyas most valued tourists

Again, the name has nothing to do with the Brits...its being built along Mombasa's English channel. Now if only more people will put up similar projects with marina's right across the channel.

I really love this project........this is just one of tha infant steps to making Mombasa an African tourist capital. anyway, the name dissapoints me coz tha project is fully Kenyan. Maybe they did that coz Britons are Kenyas most valued tourists
Maybe.

It's a private property so the people would obviously use other names for convenience, it's not like they hate Kenyan names.

More Updates..

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/April%202011%20View%20from%20Penthouse%20Block%20A.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/April%202011%20Type%203%20apartment%20Block%20B.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/April%202011%20Penthouse%20block%20A.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/April%202011%20EnglishPoint%20skyline.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/April%202011%20Block%20D%20-%20carpark%20&%20spa%20floor.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/0511%20Left%20to%20Right%20Blocks%20A,%20B%20&%20C.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/0511%20Block%20A%20-%20all%205%20levels.jpg
Pics courtesy http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development.html

Investor seeks to lure high-end tourists to Kenya’s first marina

Business Daily,
Tuesday
June 14, 2011

There is a reason why the English Point Marina apartments in Mombasa, whose construction started only nine months ago, have attracted many investors long before they are completed. Despite the high prices ranging from Sh36 million to Sh150 million per unit, the apartments are almost sold out.

The developers have introduced a completely new concept in East Africa that is luring many investors to Mombasa.

The five-star housing project will not be surrounded by high walls and tight security common with such establishments and it will house a marina that will accommodate 88 boats, luring high-end tourists into Kenya’s coastal town.

Alnoor Kanji, a hotelier with an eye for detail, and who is behind the marina apartments has a new thinking:

“The entire marina area will be flooded with light, an aspect of security measure that has not been taken seriously in Kenya. Nobody will ever commit a crime when everybody is watching them,” he said of the facility that will be open to the public for 24 hours, but which will provide privacy for apartment owners.

Housing prices

“Psychologists have established that no human being likes being alone and the privacy the apartment offers and yet there is life going on out there has proved to be a very attractive concept,” Mr Kanji said. With just nine months into the project, the investor has sold 25 per cent of the 96 apartments to mainly Kenyans buyers.

Rapid urbanisation, population growth and expansion of the middle class are the main drivers of Kenya’s property market that is riding on nearly three decades of under—investment in the apartments and hotels. Growing tourism sector has attracted many developers to construct high-end hotels to lure travellers. Tourism earnings is expected to surpass the Sh74 billion benchmark of last year after the number of foreign arrivals rose by 15 per cent to 313,691 between January and March. Last year, the number of tourists visiting Kenya within the first three months was 272,424.

Tourism minister Najib Balala said the sector’s main objective will be to attract 1.4 million visitors by improving infrastructure.

Apart from home owners, the marina apartments have also attracted investors wishing to cash in on by providing accommodation when the facility is opened in December next year.

The developer is looking to the housing project being the first destination for the high-end tourists visiting Mombasa. “These are people who are planning to use the apartments for holidays for just a few weeks and then let us manage them for the rest of the time,” Mr Kanji said.

These investors are also buying the apartments due to the expected appreciation once they open. An apartment facing the sea in the neighbouring beach hotels goes for between Sh20,000 to Sh25,000 a night and for the marina it is expected to generate over Sh35,000 a night with the prices expected to go higher in coming years.

“The apartments have also attracted unexpected corporate customers who would wish to own them not only as investments, but also as facilities to accommodate VIP visitors,” he said.

There are those who are buying the apartments for social status. Unique projects such as marinas, according to Mr Kanji, attract a significant number of people who want part of the cake just for social status. “We have several Kenyans who own apartments in Cape Town and Dubai not for commercial reasons, but to accommodate their friends and guests when they visit there,” Mr Kanji said.

There are three rows of houses in each block with the apartment in the first row, which is closest to the sea, going for between Sh54 million—Sh58 million depending on the floor. Mr Kanji said that out of the 24 first row apartments in the three blocks where the sale has started, only three are currently available.

“I was very concerned that these apartments would be the last to sell due to their huge price tag, but anybody who comes here and sees the ambience of the sea view is going for them,” Mr Kanji said.

The second row apartments are selling at Sh41 million-Sh45 million while the third row is going for Sh36 million-Sh40 million. The five bedrooms penthouse is selling at Sh150 million.

Mr Kanji said with rising cost of construction materials, the value of the houses is expected to increase as the construction goes on. The project was estimated to cost Sh4 billion when it started, but the cost could be reviewed upward. The apartments are built on four-story blocks consisting of 96 three bedroom apartments and eight five-bedroom penthouses, designed in such a manner that all rooms have a sea view.

The apartment blocks are built in an elevated position along Tudor creek overlooking Mombasa old town and the 16th-century Fort Jesus, two important tourist attractions in the region.

The structure for three apartments is almost ready and the contractor is now working on the penthouses.

“The contractor is working within the schedule and the marina is expected to be completed in the initially planned 24 months going by the assessment of the work already done in just nine months,” Mr Kanji said. The complex will also house a 26-room hotel, spa, gym, a five-star international marina, water sports centre, restaurants and an underground parking for about 200 vehicles, all of which construction is underway. The restaurant will be open to the public and according to Mr Kanji, three investors from Nairobi have submitted proposals to operate the restaurant.

Convenient

The apartment, according to Mr Kanji is the strongest selling component of the marina and the small size of the hotel is designed to ensure that this component remains attractive to investors. A large hotel would have been in competition with the apartments, he explained.

The most attractive property anywhere in the world, he says, are marinas due to their proximity view of seafronts which is appealing, especially when one can view floating vessels from the comfort of their apartments.

With the upmarket apartments and facilities that the marina is going to offer, market analysts say, it is going to change the face of the coastal town, transform it into an international luxury marine resort— and claim its place as a landmark monument, defining the skyline of the resort city.

The marina will also have an oil jetty which according to tourism industry marketers, will position Kenya, known for its safaris and saline beaches, as the most favourable destination.

The marina will be the third in Africa with others located in the East coast of Africa, one in South Africa and another in Egypt. Kenya does not have any facility to accommodate yachts and when they visit the coast, they remain in high seas and the guests have to use other means including choppers to access the mainland.

There will be a fuel pump station at the marina to service the boat. A convenient link with Mombasa Island will enable people to shuttle between Nyali and the town within a very short period of time by just taking a boat from the site to Island jetty.

almost sold out? dang! people got money in kenya!!!

Investor seeks to lure high-end tourists to Kenya’s first marina

Business Daily,
Tuesday
June 14, 2011

There is a reason why the English Point Marina apartments in Mombasa, whose construction started only nine months ago, have attracted many investors long before they are completed. Despite the high prices ranging from Sh36 million to Sh150 million per unit, the apartments are almost sold out.

The developers have introduced a completely new concept in East Africa that is luring many investors to Mombasa..

Wonder where this leaves the ordinary man in the street!

amazing views to city but the name does not suit at all.

Mombasa is purely rich swahili culture...Jamani hamkuweza kupata jina la
ki-mombasa mombasa hivi...yaani?:ohno:

Eneo lenyewe laitwa English Channel. Pia naonelea hilo jina lafaa kulingana na target market ambayo wawekezaji hawa wanataraji kuvutia.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/sitelogos/logo_mol.gif
Drop anchor in Africa: A new marina in Kenya's Mombasa makes for a holiday home adventure
By Gordon Miller

15th October 2010

Kenya's specialist subject is not only safaris. With its beautiful coastline, long beaches and warm waters, it offers some of the world's best sailing and fishing. But when it comes to the sailors, they have found few moorings to tempt them to stay any length of time in the country - until the launch of the £35 million EnglishPoint Marina residential development, in Mombasa.

Set in an elevated position on a creek overlooking Mombasa's historic old town and the 16th-century Fort Jesus, the contemporary development, which has been designed by award-winning architects Broadway Malyan, will have 107 three-bedroom apartments, built in four five-storey pods.

Eastward ho: Mombasa on the Kenyan coast is an attractive haven for sailors
There will also be a boutique hotel of 23 rooms and three suites, a marina, restaurant and boutiques. The concept, which will be the first mixed-use, residential marina development in East Africa, is the brainchild of brothers Alnoor and Amyn Kanji.

Born and raised in Mombasa, where Alnoor lives with his family (Amyn, a GP, lives in Buckinghamshire), the pair conceived the idea to bring a five-star development to the city a little over three years ago, on the eve of the global economic meltdown.

'It was Amyn who negotiated to buy the four-acre, beachfront plot where we are building EnglishPoint Marina,' said Alnoor. 'Once he'd signed the deal, in September 2007, I went to visit the plot. I sat for more than two hours, taking it all in. It blew me away.

'The location is so special I realised we have a responsibility to not just develop, but to create the very best; better than has ever been done before in East Africa.' Rather than creating an imitation colonial resort, or one in the local Swahili style - Makuti thatched roofs and adobe walls - they took a different approach.

'We knew that we had to create an iconic development to do justice to the land and setting,' said Alnoor. 'To us that meant developing an ultra-modern, high quality, environmentally sustainable resort.' 'We knew that we had to create an iconic development to do justice to the land and setting. That meant an ultra-modern, high quality, environmentally sustainable resort'
But it's also meant to feel lived-in. Consequently, no two balconies on the same side of an apartment building are exactly the same length or shape. The façade of the apartment blocks gradually recedes from one floor to the next, in an attempt to blend the buildings into the landscape. Both these features provide greater privacy for residents.

Such attention to detail has also gone into the resort's energy and water consumption. Both of these commodities are scarce in Kenya. To reduce electricity use, in particular, energy-hungry airconditioning, the apartments have ceiling height opening windows to allow natural cross-ventilation taking advantage of the sea breezes. Solar gain is reduced through the installation of heat-reflective glass and sliding, floortoceiling shutters, which shade the interior from the sun.

The resort will be self-sufficient for its water requirements. All water will be treated and recycled on site, before resused to supply the apartments' toilets. Low-flush toilets and air-flow taps will reduce consumption. The gardens will be irrigated from recycled water only.

Even water generated from the air- conditioning units will be captured and reused for irrigation. Discerning eco-homes website whatgreenhome.com has awarded EnglishPoint its highest excellent kitemark.

The resort is also raising the price bar for the region. The spacious three-bedroom apartments, with a minimum of 154 sq metres, start at £300,000. The £2,000 sq metres figure is around one-third higher than the local average for an apartment in Nyali, the most exclusive district of Mombasa.

The interiors are fitted with European products including Siemens white goods, granite tops, and the latest bathroom fixtures. Furnishings - in one of three contemporary packages - are additional.

Around 60 miles northwards, on the coast at Watamu, a second enviromentally-friendly resort is under development. Medina Palms' design pays homage to the Moorish-Arab architecture which is found along the coast.

A member of Sustain Worldwide, the development has solar-powered electricity and was built using local materials. Prices at the beachfront resort start from £189,000 for a large two-bedroom, 141 sq metres apartment.

Dailymail

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/0611%20Wide%20sea-facing%20balconies%20of%20Type%203%20apartments.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/0611%20Pouring%20concrete,%20hotel%20sub-basement.jpg
www.englishpointmarina.com

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/0611%20Looking%20at%20Blocks%20B,%20C,%20D%20from%20Penthouse.jpg


View of Mombasa CBD from the site
http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/0611%20Mombasa%20cityscape%20from%20Penthouse.jpg
www.englishpointmarina.com

this is one awesome development we need the miami,florida vibe in mombasa.its needs to be tapped kabisa.

this is one awesome development we need the miami,florida vibe in mombasa.its needs to be tapped kabisa.

TRUE.^^
Hope the Govt' and local-council will make changes to some of those punitive rules and regulations that have been detering development. Mombasa has been going down for some time(Look at DSM now?) and its high time that serious changes are undertaken to spur growth.

1.

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/0611%20Looking%20at%20Blocks%20B,%20C,%20D%20from%20Penthouse.jpg

July.. BLOCK A.
http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/July%202011%20Block%20A.JPG

View from the BEACH.
http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/July%202011%20EnglishPoint%20seen%20from%20the%20beach.jpg

August 2011

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/3715/englishptaug1.jpg

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/5048/englishptaug2.jpg

September 2011

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/8956/englishptsep1.jpg


Source: English point marina website

they are coming up nicely.

I.
http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/10%202011%20-%20Casting%20Spa%20floor%20-%20see%20Fort%20Jesus%20in%20the%20pic.jpeg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/09%202011%20-%20lower%20basement%20of%20hotel.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/09%202011%20-%20view%20of%20EnglishPoint%20Marina%20from%20Fort%20Jesus.jpeg
www.englishpointmarina.com

II.
http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/10%202011%20Slipway.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/10%202011%20Rainwater%20in%20sub-basement%20water%20tanks.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/10%202011%20View%20of%20EnglishPoint%20from%20Fort%20Jesus.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/11%202011%20View%20of%20EnglishPoint%20from%20Fort%20Jesus.jpg
www.englishpointmarina.com

III.
http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/11%202011%20Inner%20courtyard.jpghttp://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/11%202011%20Samsung%20Korea%20-%20site%20visit%20&%20inspection.jpg

Hotel Ground Floor
http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/11%202011%20Hotel%20ground%20floor.jpg

Hotel Block - Casting Ground Floor
http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/11%202011%20Hotel%20block%20-%20casting%20ground%20floor.jpg

Blocks A, B & C
http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/11%202011%20Blocks%20A,B%20&%20C.jpg
www.englishpointmarina.com

Block A, which I assume is the furthest building, looks nearly complete, and that was in December. Entire project may be done by summer hopefully.:yes:

Great updates. Thanks for sharing.

Show home

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/296771_10150302898176651_642636650_8305404_648806539_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/301560_10150302896056651_642636650_8305399_1029625857_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/297318_10150302888691651_642636650_8305381_830565224_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/299640_10150302888356651_642636650_8305380_3810522_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/293584_10150302888176651_642636650_8305379_24115918_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/308385_10150302887906651_642636650_8305378_653183749_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/297838_10150302887396651_642636650_8305376_1862244012_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/297510_10150302886031651_642636650_8305349_494160764_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/166955_10150302885821651_642636650_8305348_736069_n.jpg

Source - Robert Bundi

Nice updates... Excellent project

Great project, nice updates

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/11%202011%20Blocks%20A,B%20&%20C.jpg

Nice development!:cool:

This project will really shape up the area.

Anyone with current updates/photos of this project?

Thanx for the chronological order of construction progress. its coming along very well indeed

Latest updates from the official website. They have began work on the waterfront boardwalk (this will be lovely when completed with beautiful views of Fort Jesus and Old Town)
http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/03%202012%20-%20Waterfront%20boardwalk%20-%20work%20continues.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/03%202012%20-%20Waterfront%20boardwalk%20-%20work%20continues%202.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/03%202012%20-%20Waterfront%20boardwalk%20-%20beginning%20work.jpg

Photos via the official website (http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development.html)

The place look so much different than the renders. It would be interesting to see it when they finish everything.

As of July:

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/07%202012%20-%20Finishing%20the%20balconies%20with%20glass%20balustrades.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/07%202012%20-%20EnglishPoint%20sculpture%20taking%20shape.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/07%202012%20-%20Infinity%20pool%20coming%20along%20nicely.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/07%202012%20-%20Water%20below%20the%20boardwalk%20at%20high%20tide.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/07%202012%20-%20Busy%20doing%20tests%20for%20piling%20-%20seen%20from%20Mombasa.jpg

^^ What is that, a boat? It looks like some sort of rig, but for what?

It is to drill the pillars for the water deck shown in the second to last picture

Construction work for East Africa’s first five-star marina will be completed in December, according to its developers.

Mombasa born brothers Alnoor and Amyn Kanji told reporters in a recent interview that construction for English Point Marina was well under-way and on course for a December launch.

Kanji said English Point’s fully serviced five-star marina will be the first of its kind in East Africa.

Situated on a four acre beach front site with full access to the English Point creek, the new English Point marina will have the capacity for six yachts up to 30m out of a total of 88 berths. The yacht berths are on a floating pontoon marina and will range in size from 6m to 30m.

The luxury development will offer a range of facilities including 107 serviced apartments, rooftop breakfast restaurant, rooftop meeting room, gym, spa and boutique shopping.
http://www.constructionreviewonline.com/images/Five_star_coast.JPG

http://www.constructionreviewonline.com/index.php/e-news/71-e-news-intros/1268-east-africas-first-5-star-marina-to-be-launched-in-december

Another thread exists for this development
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=974740&page=5

This really is a fantastic project!:cheers:

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/08%202012%20EnglishPoint%20seen%20from%20sea%20level.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/08%202012%20EnglishPoint%27s%20glass%20balustrades%20-%20here%27s%20one%20being%20installed%20by%20expert%20%27fundis%27.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/08%202012%20Must%20have%20elbow%20room%20at%20all%20times%20and%20everywhere%20according%20to%20director%20Alnoor%20Kanji.jpg

This is one magnificent project. All is needed now is a super mombasa skyline and a beauty nyali bridge ( arch or suspension) to complement this

Photo Update project coming along so well

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/10%202012%20Pool%20deck,%20pool%20&%20jacuzzi.jpg



http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/10%202012%20Penthouse%20elevation.jpg


http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/10%202012%20Alnoor%20checking%20out%20options%20for%20solar%20powered%20hot%20water.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/10%202012%20A%20hotel%20room.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/10%202012%20Restaurant%20foundation%20at%20low%20tide%20two%20days%20later.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/08%202012%20EnglishPoint%27s%20glass%20balustrades%20look%20beautiful%20around%20the%20courtyard%20garden.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/09%202012%20Hard%20black%20granite%20looking%20wonderfully%20soft%20at%20EnglishPoint%20-%20by%20Gerard%20Matondi.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/09%202012%20Foundation%20work%20for%20EnglishPoint%27s%20iconic%20boat%20shaped%20restaurant.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/09%202012%20EnglishPoint%27s%20glass%20balustrades%20look%20beautiful%20around%20the%20outer%20courtyard%20garden.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/09%202012%20Lower%20boardwalk%20piling%20at%20EnglishPoint.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/09%202012%20EnglishPoint%20seen%20from%20the%20powdery%20beach%20below.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/10%202012%20View%20from%20the%20beach.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/10%202012%20Restaurant%20foundation%20at%20high%20water.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/10%202012%20Ramp%20to%20basement%20parking.%20Hotel%20seen%20in%20background.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/10%202012%20Restaurant%20foundation%20work%20at%20low%20tide.jpg

November 2012 Updates which includes working on the Kitchen's, restaurants, the marina...

http://i.imgur.com/OyNRk.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xN7Se.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/cbHUg.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/y72N7.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/yP8Ec.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/e1R97.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QKZVj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4YcDG.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/VYuBI.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QySAa.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GPE0p.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/EjRCS.jpg

British company Walcon will design and install the marina :cheers:


Walcon wins African marina contract
IBI News (https://plus.ibinews.com/article/G3piQFLMeY/2013/01/11/walcon_wins_african_marina_contract/)
11 January 2013
The company is to design, build and install a new marina in Mombasa, Kenya

The UK’s Walcon Marine has won the contract to design, build and install a new marina in Mombasa, Kenya.

English Point Marina will be the centrepiece of a new luxury resort that is currently under construction. When completed, the marina will have 45 berths for yachts of up to 47m (154ft), although larger yachts will be able to anchor off in protected waters.

Walcon is building the pontoons using its Waliflote model for the largest berths and its aluminium System 2000 design for the remainder. The company will also install 3.5m (11ft)-wide Waliflote wave attenuating pontoons. All of the pontoons are being constructed at Walcon’s main manufacturing facility in the UK.

Additional features will include a ferry berth within the marina plus a landing stage on the opposite side of the channel that separates English Point from Mombasa. These will be used to provide a regular ferry service to take residents and visitors the short distance between the development and the city. Electricity, water, sewage facilities and fuel are also integrated into the marina.

“We have been involved with English Point right from the beginning and we’re delighted to have finally received the go-ahead to build and install the marina for what is a ground-breaking and high quality project,” says Walcon commercial director Clive Kemp. “We are sure that English Point will become a popular destination not only for local residents but also for visitors from Europe and the Middle East.”

Founded in 1963, Walcon Marine is a UK-based designer, manufacturer and installer of marinas, yacht harbours and berthing facilities worldwide. The company's pontoons are manufactured at facilities in the UK, Australia and Dubai, and are installed in over 30 different countries on five continents.

Awesome i hope this development will lead to the similar development on Mombasa Island transforming our waterfront

That would be great. The Marbella of East Africa.

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/12%202012%20EnglishPoint%20Marina%20with%20the%20water%20in%20front%20and%20green%20spaces%20behind.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/12%202012%20EnglishPoint's%20white%20sandy%20beach%20and%202kms%20away%20by%20road%20is%20Nyali%20Bridge.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/12%202012%20Old%20Town%20Mombasa%20in%20the%20foreground%20separated%20from%20EnglishPoint%20by%20Tudor%20Creek%20opening%20out%20to%20the%20Indian%20Ocean%20beyond.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/12%202012%20Pic%20taken%20at%20low%20tide,%20shows%20EnglishPoint's%20calm%20deep-water%20bay%20and%20lovely%20white%20sandy%20beach.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/12%202012%20The%20deep-water%20Tudor%20Creek%20between%20EnglishPoint%20and%20Mombasa%20Old%20Town.jpg

Best aerial photos of the project... I hope that land to the side will be used for future expansions and a more developed waterfront.

I can't wait to see mombasa in 10years where it will have a stunning well kept waterfront, with gleaming skyscrapers in the background surrounded with bridges and tunnels. I hope the coming governor will have a vision....

^^ I keep singing that Mombasa needs some highrises on the water front. I hope its in someone's mind
The marina project is shaping up the front though from the arieal photos it looks small in scale. Hey, next govt get a Konza or like projects in Mombasa, boost tourism domestic and international

^^ I keep singing that Mombasa needs some highrises on the water front. I hope its in someone's mind
The marina project is shaping up the front though from the arieal photos it looks small in scale. Hey, next govt get a Konza or like projects in Mombasa, boost tourism domestic and international

Mombasa's future is one the way with more autonomy we can finally see projects being completed in this wonderful seaside city.

There are a few highrises popping up but they are north of mombasa like North Coast Seven. The resort was a good investment by that indian billionaire who was able to sell all of the penthouses/ beach homes like hot cakes lol. The area around the homes has already been set aside for future expansions so let's see what he has in store

The only problem that is making mombasa unattractive to investors is the annoyance of the ferry service which is always full and breakdown very often if such a solution can be fixed with a tunnel then mombasa will literally explode with developments and challenge nairobi as another fast growing sub saharan city.

Also the entire coast region needs an active water taxi and modern fast ferry system to make traveling up and down the kenyan coast easier. Any investors willing to see that dream come true???

^^ I keep singing that Mombasa needs some highrises on the water front. I hope its in someone's mind
The marina project is shaping up the front though from the arieal photos it looks small in scale. Hey, next govt get a Konza or like projects in Mombasa, boost tourism domestic and international
It's a good idea. The project can be at the Coast and not necessarily within Mombasa.

Work on the board walk and the marina....

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/01%202013%20Another%20milestone%20was%20achieved%20as%20the%20big%20crane%20with%20a%2056m%20arm%20was%20erected.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/01%202013%20Piling%20for%20the%20floating%20structure%20that%20will%20be%20East%20Africa's%20first%20Serviced%20Marina%20is%20well%20underway%20at%20EnglishPoint.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/01%202013%20Installing%20the%20beams%20to%20support%20the%20Lower%20Boardwalk%20and%20the%20Sailing%20Centre.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/01%202013%20The%20basement%20level%20of%20the%20three-storey%20iconic%20boat%20shaped%20restaurant%20is%20also%20complete.jpg

http://www.englishpointmarina.com/development/images/large_images/01%202013%20The%20basement%20level%20of%20the%20three-storey%20iconic%20boat%20shaped%20restaurant%20is%20also%20complete.jpg

March 2013:

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/8752/031320englishpoint20mar.jpg

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/8752/031320englishpoint20mar.jpg

Project is coming along very nicely

Grt job

TfEdbA-IezY

Thanks for the video! Nice to see a news article on the project.

I'm sure it's more than just 30% complete though!

Thanks for the video! Nice to see a news article on the project.

I'm sure it's more than just 30% complete though!

I wasn't too sure about the 30% part either

Long article on the project from the East African:

East Africa’s $55 million playground for the rich
The East African (http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/magazine/East-Africa-s--55-million-playground-for-the-rich-/-/434746/1867186/-/ywpgruz/-/index.html)
31 May 2013
For the rich and adventurous, who are accustomed to the finer things in life, the perfect vacation often involves sailing on a yacht. A yacht is the ultimate status symbol of the billionaires club.

The East African coast, with its beautiful beaches, warm weather and navigable seas all year round, would be a perfect yachting destination.

But, while the Coast has received a number of yachts — including The Tatoosh owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, which docked at the old port of Mombasa recently — it is largely off the yachting circuit. The greatest headache for boaters in this part of the oceans is surprisingly simple: Where to dock.

If you are sailing from Cape Town in South Africa to Cairo in Egypt, for instance, there is hardly anywhere to dock or service a yacht, save for Eden Island, east of the Seychelles main island of Mahe.

On a round-the-world yatching voyage, such as the Volvo Ocean Race, the absence of proper yachting support facilities and services along the East African coast makes the trip from South Africa to India one of the longest.

But now, a Kenyan businessman has started a multimillion-dollar project that will make Mombasa an attractive destination for billionaire boaters.

Alnoor Kanji is building the only luxury marina between the Cape and Cairo, where the world’s super-rich can dock their yachts and have them serviced as they relax in luxurious apartments overlooking the Indian Ocean, across a 400-metre creek from the historic Fort Jesus and Mombasa Old Town.

Yachting holiday

Even as he targets foreign tourists, Kanji believes that East Africa has enough rich people to enjoy the facilities.

“There is affluence in the local market too,” he says. “Imagine having a yachting holiday from Mombasa to Lamu for a couple of nights, then perhaps sail down to Shimoni, then have a sundowner in Tanga, for $400 a week on a fully serviced yacht. That package doesn’t exist on the Kenyan market.”

Expected to open this November, the $55 million English Point Marina will have a hotel, restaurants, spa, gym, and water sport centre, open to both hotel guests and the public.

The Kenya Commercial Bank has provided 65 per cent of the project funding.

Each of the three-bedroom apartments costs between $452,000 and $750,000, while the ultra-luxurious penthouse will set you back $2 million. Buyers can choose to live in them or lease them out as hotel rooms, under the English Point Marina management. And the managers are promising huge returns in the long term.

“If you lease out your apartment at $600 a night, we believe that in seven to eight years you can recoup your investment, if you achieve 80 per cent occupancy in a year,” says Philip Jones, the general manager of English Point Marina.

Fifty apartments have been sold in the past year. Yachts are also available for sale or hire.

“A 45-foot boat, which can accommodate eight people, costs about $300,000,” Jones says. “With 60 per cent occupancy in a year, it would take five years to recoup your investment, if you charge guests $3,500 a week. It’s a great investment opportunity.”

Most luxury boat owners come from the Northern Hemisphere, looking for warm climates.

“The East African coast has everything a yachter is looking for — blue skies, warm weather, nice beaches,” Jones says.

The Caribbean is the number one yatching destination in the world, followed by the Far East. But, in the Caribbean, the warmest months also come with a serious danger — hurricanes. From June to November, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean are on hurricane alert, and yachts and cruise ships are often grounded.

The East African coast has a warm climate, with the added advantage of navigable seas all year round and would, therefore, be an alternative destination.

Aside from the yacht sailers, the English Point Marina managers have planned for guests who fly in. A ferry will transport them from the airport on the mainland to the marina by ferry through the Likoni channel.

“We also have a unique product: The safari circuit. Boaters can come in and dock their ships at the marina, go on safari for a few days,” says Kanji. “We believe this development has the potential to bring in at least 500,000 new tourists every year.”

This is an ambitious plan, considering Kenya received 1.7 million tourists last year, according to latest government data. But Kanji, a slightly built man with a quiet demeanour, is a go-getter. Six years ago, he took the biggest gamble of his life, buying the property for double the market price.

“This property had been on the market for many years,” he says, pointing at the four-acre beach front plot.

“The owner was a difficult person, who kept changing the price. When I met him, he asked for twice what was the market rate. I paid it.”
He says many players in real estate were not happy, accusing him of “ruining the market.”

“But my father always said that when it comes to real estate, what you think is expensive now will seem cheap in the future.”

With the deal sealed, Kanji went to inspect the property one evening and, gazing at the water mass, he had what he calls a “spiritual experience.”

“The sun was going down over the water, then the lights came on, one by one, across the creek at Old Town,” he says. “It was so quiet and peaceful, with the waves lapping on the shore and, at that moment, I realised that this property deserved a hell of a lot more. I didn’t ever want to close off this amazing view.”

That is when he decided to come up with an iconic luxury development, but still allow public access to the beach at the English Point and the view of Old Town and Fort Jesus.

But a surge in piracy off the coast of Somalia threatened to put the whole thing on ice. The year 2010 was one of the worst for ship owners sailing on the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and around the Horn of Africa, with 142 attacks reported in the first three months of the year. In total, there were 445 piracy incidents, up from 276 five years earlier. The wave of insecurity sent jitters through the tourism industry in the entire region.

Undeterred

For someone trying to bring in the world’s wealthiest yacht owners and sailing enthusiasts, it was a nerve-racking time. But Kanji was undeterred.

“I never believed that the piracy would go on forever,” he says. “I believed the world would solve it, somehow.”

The world was indeed trying to solve the menace. In 2009, a Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151) had been set up to run counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and off the eastern coast of Somalia covering about 2.8 million square kilometres. The force comprised warships from the US, France, UK, Canada, Denmark, Turkey, the Netherlands and Singapore. Also patrolling are warships from Russia, China and India.

And, in September 2012, almost a year after the Kenyan Defence Forces entered Somalia to fight the Islamist militants Al Shabaab, they took the port of Kismayu in southern Somalia from the group. Kismayu was being used as an onshore base of pirates. From then, only one ship reported an attempted attack by Somali pirates.

Now that the project is on course, Kanji has been selling the English Point Marina as the spark that will ignite Kenya’s tourism earnings.

A fortnight ago, he received a boost from the government when the marina was declared a Vision 2030 flagship project from the private sector.

Although tourism numbers grow modestly every year, industry players have been calling for innovations in the country’s tourism package, which for years has only featured beaches and safaris.

“We can’t do small incremental projects any more,” says Mugo Kibati, CEO of Kenya’s Vision 2030, the country’s blueprint to achieve middle income status in the next 17 years. “We have to do big projects like this one.”

But, even as the development is touted as a much-needed breath of fresh air that will revitalise tourism on the East African Coast, Mombasa residents have raised concerns about the threat to the heritage of Mombasa Old Town, a historic site only half a kilometre from the marina, where 1,000 boats are expected to dock every year, according to Mr Jones.

A testament

Mombasa Old Town is a living museum, with families living in houses dating back to the 18th century and earlier, whose style was influenced by Portuguese and Arabic architecture.

The 72-hectare area on the western tip of Mombasa Island is a Unesco World Heritage Site, with elegantly carved Swahili doors side by side with the imposing Fort Jesus, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. The fort stands as a testament to the battle for control of one of the most strategic ports between the southern tip of Africa and the spice lands of India.

With the ultra-modern marina just across the creek from the Old Town, the risk of gentrification is real. It has happened before: A big modern project forces poor people to relocate as market forces drive up demand and push up prices in their neighbourhoods.

In South Africa, for example, the suburb of Woodstock in Cape Town has undergone a dramatic makeover, as its old industrial buildings have been converted into sleek industry hubs, and the area is now billed as Cape Town’s new art and gallery district — home to an array of arts, craft, fashion and design studios and shops, as well as cafés and restaurants.

It is the perfect mix of historical charm, urban decay and gritty flair that attracts the middle class to these older neighbourhoods, as they seek to escape from the orderliness and sterility of the “uptown.”

Chaos and disorder, they say, make for great inspiration. But property developers are never far off and, soon, prices shoot through the roof, and the original residents find that they cannot afford to live in their neighbourhood any longer. Eventually, the core character of the area is changed completely and, sometimes, the traditional heritage of historical areas is lost.

The Governor of Mombasa, Ali Hassan Joho, says there is a need to carry out some urban renewal in the Old Town of Mombasa. But he adds that they will make every effort not to destroy the heritage of the area.

Kanji plans to build a jetty across the creek to ferry guests to the Old Town, where one can take a guided tour of the narrow streets and historic buildings. He believes that the marina can bring visitors to the old district, and influence the establishment of restaurants, cafés and curio shops.

“I hope the heritage is not compromised. The only thing we need is leadership that understands what is at stake,” Kanji says.

:applause: :applause:

It's getting there:

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