- The development created an estimated 1,100 direct job opportunities
Image: HANDOUT
The US Embassy in Nairobi has developed a $48.5 million (Sh5.52 billion) townhouse and apartment complex for its staff, signaling corporate-oriented real estate in Africa.
Developed by US-based Verdant Ventures, Mauritius-based Gateway Real Estate Africa (GREA) in conjunction with landowner Balozi Holdings, the Rosslyn Grove community comprises a mix of apartments, townhouses, a state-of-the-art clubhouse.
It has a gym, swimming pool, play areas, walking and running tracks as well as other amenities.
The complex comprises a mix of apartments, townhouses, a state-of-the-art clubhouse with a gym, swimming pool, play areas, walking and running tracks as well as other amenities.
It comprises 90 world-class apartments, townhouses, a state-of-the-art clubhouse with a gym, swimming pool, play areas, parks, walking and running tracks as well as other amenities.
“Verdant Ventures is proud to deliver its second Diplomatic Housing project in Africa in less than 12 months, and to have the US government as a key tenant in both projects,'' Verdant Ventures CEO Tim Redman said.
He added that Rosslyn Grove’s successful completion is yet another demonstration of Verdant Ventures' ability to deliver projects that meet or exceed OBO’s design standards.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Mauritius-based Gateway Real Estate Africa (GREA) CEO Greg Pearson said they are thrilled to hand over such a high-quality asset despite significant supply chain challenges as a result of the pandemic.
''Notwithstanding these headwinds, I am proud to say that as a result of our strict on-site safety protocols, we didn’t lose a single day of construction as a result of site closures due to the virus,'' He said.
Balozi Holdings director Peter Gethi on other hand said the development has raised the bar for this neighbourhood and Nairobi as a whole.
''This represents a successful project completion between Balozi and international investors”, Gethi said.
The development created an estimated 1,100 direct job opportunities and a further 500 indirect jobs over its 30-month development timeline.
In addition to boosting local employment, the developers of Rosslyn Grove made further contributions to the community through the support of local organisations.
At the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, GREA and Verdant Ventures donated $10,000 for the procurement and administration of 1,000 vaccines through the American Chamber of Commerce and Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA).
The developers launched education and consultation campaigns on the benefits of being vaccinated, which resulted in the vaccination of 407 site personnel.
Image: HANDOUT
Contractor teams are promoting awareness and training around hygiene and safety during regular “toolbox talks” with workers.
Aligned to empowering women in construction, the developers further partnered with Woman’s Warehouse on a 2-day Female Intimate Health workshop at Rosslyn Grove in June 2022.
The developers also donated sanitary packs and products valued at $$14,000 to 75 female attendees, which included 15 cohorts from the Buildher programme.
Rosslyn Grove has several passive and active features incorporated into the design to improve tenant comfort whilst reducing the development’s overall carbon footprint.
The layouts, for instance, have been designed with large windows and sliding doors to maximize natural light into each apartment, reducing the need for artificial lighting and improving the sense of
To combat the resultant solar heat gain, the building employs large overhangs and louvered pergolas.
The large covered central atrium in the apartment building is naturally ventilated improving airflow through the apartments and reducing the need for mechanical ventilation.
Similarly, the parking basement is designed to be largely naturally ventilated.
It marks the second successful diplomatic residential development between Verdant Ventures and GREA, with Elevation Residences, a 10-story, 112-apartment residential tower located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia completed and handed over in November last year.
“Getting started or expanding activities in Africa requires state-of-the-art infrastructure – bespoke facilities, offices and housing. Our team is dedicated to providing real estate solutions to corporations and governments on the continent,” Redman said.