Nairobi Business Park 2 set for completion late next year

London-based private equity fund Actis has launched the construction of the second phase of its Nairobi Business Park project along Ngong Road in Nairobi.

The Sh1.8 billion development, which will comprise five office blocks, will create additional 15,000 square metres of commercial floor space upon completion in mid or late next year.

Phase one of the project, which comprises 8,000 square metres of commercial floor space, was launched by Actis and Mentor Management in 2004.

The development will host a conference centre, banking halls, cafés, pharmacy, dry cleaners and a fitness centre.

“The new office blocks will combine the latest technology, smart planning and sustainable design to be among the greenest in their class,” said Micheal Turner, Actis managing director for East Africa, during the ground breaking ceremony held on Tuesday.

The first and second phases of the Nairobi Business Park were designed by Triad Architects. The design comprises Grade A building specifications which Mr Turner says will help reduce service charges for tenants.

Speaking during the function Mentor Management East Africa CEO James Hoddell said that the extension was motivated by the ongoing infrastructural improvements in Nairobi.

“We’re doing this mainly due to the phenomenal progress which is being made by the Kenyan government in upgrading the roads and infrastructure in the area,”  Mr Hodell said adding that the  project will be LEED Certified.

“The extension is embracing green building by focusing on sustainable strategies that will be certified by the LEED International Sustainable Rating System,” he said.

The project’s main contractor will be Cactic, the Chinese firm contracted to upgrade the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Nairobi Business Park 2 is one of the two major projects that Actis and Mentor Management are undertaking in Kenya. The other project is the Sh12 billion Garden City – a 32-acre mixed use development on Thika Road which will host the largest shopping mall in East Africa.

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