By Irene Gaitirira
Published March 20, 2017
The construction of what is touted as being the tallest building in Africa commences in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, in April 2017.
The mixed-use development known as Hass Towers that will stand some 330 metres high in Nairobi’s Upper Hill district, shall be owned by a Dubai family business known as Hass Petroleum Group that has interests in Kenya.
Abdinassir Ali Hassan, chair of the Hass Petroleum Group, says they have hired China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSEC), one of the largest construction companies in the world, to construct the 67-floor twin-tower building for US$195
Million (Sh20 Billion).
RELATED:Global Megatrends to Drive Africa’s Real Estate Industry Growth
When complete and ready for business in 2020, this architectural marvel that shall stand next to Rahimtullah Tower on Lower Hill Road shall consist of a luxury entertainment complex, upmarket offices and a 5-star hotel, among other amenities; the iconic building shall not only testify to Kenya’s prime position as one of Africa’s fastest growing economies but shall also dwarf the 223-metre, 50-floor Carlton Centre in South Africa that is currently the tallest building on the continent.
The shorter tower–standing 45 storeys above the ground–shall house the third Hilton Hotel in Kenya after the first one in the Central Business District of Nairobi and the second near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
RELATED:Sub-Saharan Africa Declared the ‘Go To’ Area for Hotel Investors
“Hass Group’s awarding the contract to CSCEC demonstrates a stronger growing economic partnership between the Chinese Government and the Kenyan Government, and is a testament to Kenya’s economic and political stability,” notes Abdinassir Ali Hassan.
Also speaking during the contract-signing ceremony at Kempinski Hotel in the Chinese capital, Beijing on February 28, 2017, Li Mingguang, Vice President of CSCEC Overseas Operations, noted that Hass Towers will not only “be the tallest building in Africa” but that “It is sure to drive regional development, promote economic growth, and attract more investment and tourism into Kenya.”
To underscore the importance of the occasion to the Republic of Kenya, representatives of the Government of Kenya–John O Odipo, the Counsellor of Kenya’s Embassy in China, Vincent E Omuse, the Commercial Counsellor of Kenya’s Embassy in China–were present.
