Kiambu Road’s hidden real estate treasures

However, even these have given way to higher-end gated communities with huge luxurious standalone homes, town houses and apartments.

The land index by Hass Consult and Stanlib Investments released last year estimates that, on average, prices in Nairobi’s satellite towns like Kiambu will rise by 6.17 times between 2014 and 2017 - much higher than prices in the capital’s leafy suburbs which increased by 5.59 times.

According to Knight Frank’s annual Wealth Report this year, most wealthy in Kenya live in the cosmopolitan Nairobi area - about 6,527 dollar millionaires to be exact.

Daniel Muchiri, a realtor with Murage Estate Agents says unlike the capital’s leafy suburbs Kiambu road has large tracts of land which make it a favourite with property developers who want spacious houses not restricted by space as is the case with estates within the city.

“In the upsurge, we have seen gated community developments such as Edenville, Migaa, Runda Paradise, Runda Palms and Five Star Meadows among many others come up in the last five years,” he says.

Most new homeowners, Daniel says, prefer to go for the gated community along Kiambu road because of the satellite town’s close proximity to the city at just 14 kilometres away.

“The demand for decent housing, has seen prices go up, as top developers acquire huge chunks of land to create top-of-the-range estates,” he said.

Most of the properties, he says, sell out in the first six months of launching even though some homeowners prefer to let them out for monthly income.

There are some who have already moved into their new homes enjoying the comfort that comes with living in a gated community out in the countryside.

With so much to choose from, here is a sneak peek into the high-end living that has crept into Kiambu road.

Though not featured here, there are other superior homes like Ridgeways Springs, Runda Palm Gardens, Summerfield and Fourways Junction.

Edenville

Phase One of the Sh2 billion Edenville estate development comprises of 345 villas on 70 acres, set in courts of between 10 and 29 houses each.

This phase, which was completed in 2012, according to the property management company Hass Consult, sold out in 10 months.

Hass consult says they are just finalising the necessary permits to begin construction of Edenville Two on a 43-acre piece of land.

The construction will comprise of 157 sizeable villas, 3 and 4-bedroom maisonettes as well as apartments for families with smaller budgets.

Some of the homeowners of Phase One have engaged independent estate agents to either resell their individual units or to let them.

Apart from homes, shopping malls are also cropping up along the road in anticipation of the middle class being targeted by the gated communities.

Ridegway’s Mall which houses retailer Nakumatt Supermarkets and several other eateries is the perfect weekend spot for families looking to relax and while away time.

So popular has it been that the proprietor, businessman Stanley Githunguri has been compelled to build acceleration lanes on both sides of the road so as to decongest traffic round the area.

Another mall, Ciata City is being constructed directly opposite Ridgeways and has already attracted Naivas Supermarkets as the anchor tenant.

Mugaa investments is also building a high-end shopping facility dubbed Kiambu Mall right in the heart of the town that is will house another Nakumatt outlet.

Apart from the sports complex being constructed in Migaa, Wadi Degla is also putting up a sporting complex off Kiambu Road on the way to Paradise Lost.

The Sh2.5 billion investment is set to be open to the public in June of this year and includes three swimming pools, squash and tennis courts, a soccer field  along with training academies for children who want to become professionals in their chosen sports.

Next time you are driving along this road, look around you and witness for yourself the kind of housing developments that are coming up.

Migaa

The 774 acres, that includes housing projects, a hotel and an 18-hole golf course is perhaps the biggest real-estate development witnessed so far in this area.

Mitini Scapes, the first housing project to be completed within Migaa provides home owners with a view of the nine back holes of the golf course.

The project, built at a cost of Sh700 million, consist of 12 cottages of three and four bedrooms along with 70 one, two and three bedroomed apartments.

The three-bedroom cottages on an 1/8 of an acre without a domestic servants quarter, are selling at Sh20.25 while the 4-bedroom ones going for Sh23.7 million.

A one-bedroom apartment are selling at Sh7.5 million, a small two-bedroom for Sh10.7 million, a larger two-bedroom with a  servant’s quarters for Sh15.5 million while a 3 bedroom with a servants quarters is going at Sh18.5 million.

Of the cottages, only two remain unsold while 18 apartments are available.

The Tamarind Group, has also partnered with Migaa to set-up high-end serviced apartments on 14 acres of land within Migaa.

The first four blocks of 100 houses for the Tamarind Tree Residence that sit on 4.6 acres of land are set to be complete by the end of the year.

The serviced apartments whose prices range between Sh15 and Sh30 million can be purchased by the public and owners enter into a management agreement with the Tamarind Group.

Property developer, Home Afrika has contracted Egyptian private clubs developer Wadi Degla to develop the remaining front nine holes as well as club facilities, stadium and sports academies within the complex.

Home owners could also buy land in the investment and construct their own uniquely designed house.

Five Star Meadows

The 116 units consist of just 3 and four-bedroom villas that share a common clubhouse that has a swimming pool and gym.

All the bedrooms in this complex are ensuite and each house has ample parking for two cars as well as an detached servant’s quarters.

There are 31 three-bedroom houses dubbed Villa Rosa and 85 Villa Blancas with a living room and kitchen on the ground floor and all the bedrooms upstairs.

The Villa Rosa were selling at Sh30 million while the Villa Blanca’s for Sh39 million. Only 3 four- bedroomed houses remain.

While the property developer AMS is not letting any of the houses, individual home owners are looking for agents to let out their houses for about Sh150,000 a month for the four bedroom and about Sh120,000 for the three bedroomed.

Kencom SACCO Homes

Kenya Commercial Bank Sacco has also delved into the real estate realm by developing houses along this same road.

The 113 houses are located on your way to the famous recreational spot Paradise Lost. Currently, the road is dusty , made worse by ongoing constructions within the area.

When you enter this complex, the landscaping will surely take your breath away. The four- bedroom villas share a recreation centre. There is a nursery school and business centre within the complex.

An interesting feature here is the man-made lake that acts as an extra relaxation point. The houses are selling for Sh37 million.

Hidden Creek

The elegant Hidden Creek Homes, stand on three and a half acres of land in the Runda Palm area and are owned by a consortium of local investors.

Letting the houses, a four-bedroom unit will cost Sh350,000 per month and the five-bedroom one will be going for Sh400,000.

Each of the 14 units has a different setting of either four or five bedrooms depending on the topography of the land.

A common feature in a number of the houses is the fact that the lounge, dining area and kitchen are actually on the first floor of the two-storey buildings.

All the bedrooms are ensuite and the master bedroom comes with both a His and Hers sink as well as a massive walk in closet.

While the rest are up for grabs two units have been outlined for sale where a four-bedroom unit is going for Sh65 million while the five-bedroom one is selling for Sh70 million.

The place is ideal for those looking for a close knit community experience.