Korean firm, Unity Homes ink deal for Tatu City houses

Korean technology firm KumKang Kind has signed a deal with a local housing developer to speed up construction and delivery of 1,200 houses at Tatu City in Ruiru, Kiambu County.

Under the deal, the company will deploy its technology on site to assist Unity Homes to complete four apartments in three days – saving on costs associated with lengthy timelines.

According to Jason Horsey, the chief executive of Unity Homes, KumKang Kind’s technology has been tested in South Korea where builders use it to build up to 30-storey structures.

“We are currently building four apartments every three days and that has enabled us to save on construction costs thereby enabling us to price our products competitively,” he said.

The Korean firm has shipped into the country some specially fabricated aluminium panels that are assembled around a steel structure to create a huge mould accommodating four apartments after which reinforced concrete is poured in.

Once the concrete dries, the mould is detached and re-assembled on the next floor of the apartment block to continue the construction process.

“We have trained a local team that is carrying out the works,” Mr Horsey said.

Unity West, which was launched in July 2018, sits on 23 acres at Tatu City near Ruiru town in close proximity to Tatu City’s Business District, and the Tatu Industrial Park.

READ: Nairobi property firm to build Sh3.5bn estate in Ruiru

The project seeks to deliver 1,200 affordable houses in a bid to address the shortage of reasonably priced homes in the area.

A two bedroom house (60 sq. m) is selling for Sh4.8 million (US$44,000) while a 3 bedroom apartment, double the size of a two-bedroom unit is going for Sh9.6 million (US$88,000).

Property buyers are expected to pay a monthly service charge of Sh3,750.

“Unity West features an ultra-modern minimalist design with high-end finishes and luxurious amenities in a serene environment,” the firm says in an ongoing sales campaign.

In June, Unity Homes announced that the first 48 apartments hosted on four high-rise blocks had been certified fit for occupation. Another 48 units were scheduled for occupation in October 2020 while 384 units are earmarked for completion by the end of 2022.

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