Britam Tower: Tallest Building in Kenya [Facts + Photos]

At 200.1 metres tall, Britam Tower is officially the tallest building in Kenya — and it is not just about height. Here is why it is a game-changer in African architecture.

Black pyramid

Britam Tower is one of the most eye-catching buildings in Nairobi. It was designed by South Africa’s GAPP Architects together with Kenya’s Triad Architects.

The tower follows a modern style called structural expressionism, where parts of the building’s structure are made to stand out as part of the design.

Depending on where you stand, the tower looks like a black glass prism or a pyramid with its top cut off. Its shape gets narrower as it rises, making it both stylish and stable.

This design is achieved by starting with a base of four corners that taper to two at the top, creating both aerodynamic stability and architectural drama.

Construction and cost

Construction began in 2013 and was completed in 2017 at a reported cost of Sh8.8 billion (approx. $70 million). Britam Tower officially opened to the public in July 2018, developed by Britam Holdings as part of its vision to anchor Upper Hill as Nairobi’s financial district.

Fastest lifts in Africa

Among its standout features are eight high-speed lifts, capable of travelling from the ground floor to the top in under 30 seconds — the fastest elevator system in any building on the African continent. This shows how the tower combines style with high-level function.

RELATED: Top 10 Tallest Buildings in Kenya

Tenants and usage

The skyscraper comprises two main structures: a 32-storey office tower and a 15-storey parking silo, connected at the top by an emergency evacuation bridge. The tower offers over 350,000 square feet of lettable office space and accommodates 1,000 parking bays.

Britam Tower, the tallest building in Nairobi, is home to well-known local and multinational companies, embassies, and banks looking for top-class addresses in the Kenyan capital city.

Global recognition

In December 2018, Britam Tower became the first African building to feature in the Top 10 Emporis Skyscraper Award list, where it ranked 10th globally. The award celebrates exceptional skyscraper design and engineering.

Market challenges

Even with its height, Britam Tower shows the challenges in Nairobi’s office market. Upper Hill became crowded, and too many new buildings led businesses to prefer areas like Kilimani, Riverside, and Karen, where offices are newer and leases are more flexible.

A 2017 report noted that many buildings finished after 2015 had trouble getting tenants.

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