Life & Work

Kenyan firm wins prestigious global property awards

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An artist’s impression of a villa at Palm Valley - a collection of 88 luxury mixed-unit residences in a gated community set on 20 acres of land bordering Runda. PHOTO | COURTESY

A few weeks ago, the world’s top property players met in Dubai for the annual International Property Awards.

It might not have made big news here, but it did all over the world. This was the 21st award gala, one of the most prestigious property competitions in the world, coming together under a canopy of creativity, innovation, passion and, indeed, glitz to pat the selected few for pushing the envelope of property market a little further.

Last year, some 2,000 companies from 103 countries participated, pitting their property projects against each other in various categories such as development, architecture, interior design and real estate.

The financial value of those competing projects was estimated to be about Sh3 trillion. The role of the judging committee, chaired by three members of the House of Lords, was to scrutinise these entries and pick the best in all categories.

Scooped award

This year, a team of 80 judges, meticulously looking for different aspects of the business, picked a little known local property development company called Century City Property Kenya, established in 2011, which scooped the award for Best International Residential Development for Palm Valley Estate Project.

The project was recognised as the top property in three categories; Best Residential Development in Kenya, Best Residential Development in Africa and the big one - Best International Residential Development. This is the first time in the awards history that a Kenyan development has won in the international category.

Palm Valley, which breaks ground this year, is located in Kiambu, minutes away from Gigiri and is set among scenic lakes and rolling hills. The property received praise for its design and use of natural spaces, and combination of elegant and modern architectural features.

The developers have reserved over 60 per cent of the property for open spaces, a series of interconnected orchards, meadows and private gardens inspired by East Africa’s forests, creating a lush parkland setting that invites residents to step out and interact with nature.

Symbol of confidence
Hooman Ehsani, director of Century City Kenya, said, “We see this [the award] as a massive symbol of confidence for us, but also a win for the country. This shows confidence in the industry in general and perhaps illustrates the power of pushing the envelope in design and structure and dreaming big for the next exciting thing.”

Although no Kenyan company has won the International Award category before, there have been some wins in different categories.

In 2010, HassConsult was named the Best Real Estate Agency in Africa, Best Real Estate Agency in Kenya, and the Best Real Estate Agency Marketing. Mount Kenya Wildlife Estate took a stab at the award in 2014, but unfortunately did not win. There are other developments, mostly hotels in the coastal region, that have won in the Kenyan category.

Are many properties looking at competing in this prestigious award from Kenya? Turns out, not as many as you would expect, given that there hasn’t been any competition that pits property market players.

Elizabeth Oluoch, CEO, Kenya Property Developers Association says the process of registration and application for the International Property Awards is lengthy and rigorous and that discourages those properties who might be interested in submitting their developments.

“I don’t know many of our 85 members who have applied to be rated, with the possible exception of Bahati Ridge Development.”

Bahati Ridge is a country gated community, situated in Thika with 55 town houses, nine villas and eight bungalows with brilliant country views on 97 acres. However, there are more local awards, for example, the Eastern Africa Property Awards founded by Alexander Mwangi two years ago which is yet to gain traction.

“The International Property Awards is obviously on a much grander scale but we also need to offer a more local competing platform to developments that are yet to reach that high scale. This will help offer healthy competition and grow the industry.”

Growing demand

Palm Valley’s win points at a growing demand for high-end residential developments. The project will feature several recreation and lifestyle elements such as the Mediterranean-inspired club house that sits at the centre of the development; housing a heated, 20-metre length resort-style swimming pool, 24-hour state-of-the-art gym, aerobics and yoga studios and squash, basketball and flood-lit tennis courts.

The development also offers residents a private cinema, business centre and library, sports bar, and an industrial kitchen.

This is in addition to the indoor and outdoor play and learning areas for children, outdoor running track and other fitness activities – emphasising a high-quality, active lifestyle for the whole family.

Michael Jordan, chairman of the Board of Architectural Judges, Arabian & African Property Awards, commented: “It is a visionary scheme that gives credit to the thought process of the developers and designers behind the project.”

Hopefully this award will open the doors to more world-class developments that will capture the imagination of the world.