Billion shilling estates

Kenya: The growth of suburbs such as Athi River, Mlolongo and Syokimau has been attributed to many factors.

According to Haroun Nyamboki, the MD of Moke Gardens in Lukenya, some of those factors include proximity to Nairobi’s central business district and availability of land at relatively low prices. The construction of Syokimau Railway has also increased real estate investment in the area.

“The railway station and expansion of Mombasa Road as well as Katani Road, off Mombasa Road, is a plus to these areas,” says Nyakundi.

Many people have opted to live in Syokimau and its environs as the train takes about 15 minutes to Nairobi Railway Station. The train is boosting the growth of real estate in Syokimau, Kitengela, Athi River, Machakos and Mombasa Road.

Real estate agents agree that even commercial and residential developments in Mlolongo township are changing the fortunes of Mavoko.

Initially, Mlolongo was known for its weighbridge, heavy commercial trucks stopover and nyama choma joints. Today, it is booming with real estate developments.

 Attractive

Alex Muema, director of Ndatani Enterprises, says the fact that the three nodes (Mlolongo, Athi River and Syokimau) are cosmopolitan makes them attractive for real estate development.

“Land prices have shot up in these areas following increased demand, good roads, the Nyumba Kumi initiative by the chiefs, a clean environment and good security provided by the county government,” Muema says.

According to Muema, a 50 by 100 foot piece of land is fetching Sh5 million in Mlolongo, Sh1.5 million in Athi River and Sh2 million in Syokimau.

Despite lack of adequate infrastructure like sewer lines, development in the three areas has not stopped as the county government plans to dig sewer systems in the areas to attract more investors, according to Machakos County Government Minister for Housing George Luka Kioko.

These are some of the developments making waves here.

 Lifestyle Terraces

The Sh1.6 billion project is the second housing development by Lifestyle Terraces, which has just finished developing Lifestyle Apartments.

It comprises 230 two-bedroom and 80 three-bedroom units located behind Gateway Mall, a five-minute’s drive from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

 

The two-bedroom and three-bedroom units will go for Sh4.7 million and Sh6 million respectively.

Peter Karoki, the developer, says the project will be constructed in three phases. It targets middle-income earners who work at JKIA and numerous factories on Mombasa Road.

It is near social amenities like JKIA and Syokimau Railway Station and the newly constructed Gateway Mall on Mombasa Road.

The project will feature solar water heating systems, solar-powered streetlights, stand-by generators, electric perimeter fencing and landscaping. It is expected to be complete by November 2016.

 El-Oasis Park

El-Oasis Park is one of the latest developments in the area. Located one kilometre off Mombasa Road and adjacent to JKIA, the Sh2.2 billion project is being developed on five acres by Taurus Consortium Ltd.

It will be built in three phases, with phase one consisting of eight blocks of 80 three-bedroom apartments. Phase one will also include 16 blocks of two-bedroom all ensuite penthouses with servant quarters and an attic.

Construction started in July 2014 and is expected to be completed in December 2016. “We will have a total of 300 units, which will have a metered gas system,” says Martin Muthengi, the marketing manager at Taurus Consortium Ltd.

Muthengi says the spacious rooms will have large windows to allow natural light in, which will save on energy costs. A two-bedroom unit will go for Sh6.5 million while a three-bedroom house will sell for Sh7.5 million.

 Green Park Estate

Located in Stoney Athi on Mombasa Road and about 30 kilometres from Nairobi’s central business district, Green Park is estimated to cost Sh5 billion on completion and targets buyers who want a peaceful place to raise families.

Green Park offers country living within easy reach of the city, with open space and fresh air as well as panoramic views of the Lukenya Hills.

There are different house types: Quarter Villa, Maisonnette, Bungalow and The Villa. The project started in 2007 and is expected to be completed in 2020. Prices range from Sh9 million to Sh32 million.

“We have open gardens within each cluster where kids can play or residents hold parties. We have broken ground for the second kindergarten and a primary school. We are also breaking ground for the shopping centre and the sundowner/sports club by March 2015,” says Angelica Wambui, the sales manager at Superior Homes, developers of the project.

The most noticeable feature of Green Park is the greenery within the area. As a gated community, residents live by the rules formulated by the property managers.