Nairobi to host Africa’s fourth tallest building

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By MWANIKI WAHOME jwahome@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Friday, July 12   2013 at  19:16

Nairobi will host Africa’s fourth tallest building once the National Social Security Fund completes the construction of the 39-storey Hazina Trade Centre.

The skyscrapper will be an extension of the building housing Nakumatt Lifestyle opposite the Jeevanjee Gardens.

The extension works will involve the building of a 31-storey office tower to complement the current eight floors (four basement levels, ground floor, two mezzanine & one podium).

The Times Tower, where the Kenya Revenue Authority offices are located is currently the tallest building in East Africa at 140 metres high — 33-storey, and will lose this position to the Hazina Trade Centre upon completion.

The new high-rise building is estimated to be 180 meters tall. It will cost Sh6.7 billion and will take about 18 months to complete. Its features include fritted glazing, vegetated roof terraces, a ventilated atrium, helipad and city’s viewing gallery. It will also constitute a high-end hotel that is expected to increase competition in the hospitality industry.

Speaking during the commissioning for the extension of the building, the fund’s managing director, Mr Tom Odongo, said it will dwarf others in the city and will also occupy fourth position in Africa.

“NSSF has commenced the construction of Hazina that is going to be the tallest in East and Central Africa and third fourth tallest in Africa. This project was conceptualised many years ago but was delayed due to legal and financial issues,” he noted.

Mr Odongo said once completed it will earn about Sh100 million rent income per month.

NSSF invited new bids for the Hazina Trade Centre early this year following cancellation of the previous tender by the courts. NSSF had awarded the construction contract to Cementer Limited in 2011, but companies that lost the bid — China Jiangxi International Kenya and China Wu Yi — challenged the tendering in court.

The firms undertaking construction are MruttuSalmann & Associates, quantity surveyors Tana & Associates, structural and civil engineers Abdul Mullick & associates while electrical and mechanical engineers are Metroeng consultants.

The chairman Mr Adan Mohammed said the retirements fund would develop its various plots estimated to be worth Sh8.6 billion, adding that a feasibility study was being ongoing on the viability of a convention centre, along with a high-end hotel at its plot along Kenyatta Avenue.