PDM Holdings has announced the completion of its Vienna Court project, a grade-A low-rise sustainable office complex along State House Crescent in Nairobi.
The Sh2.6 billion state-of-the-art project, whose pre-let space is already at 65 per cent ahead of the scheduled official opening this year, has become the face of urban renewal in Nairobi, even as the city itself plans to revamp its look to enhance global investor appeal.
PDM has pioneered innovative developments in Kenya for over 50 years. It has helped to shape the direction of real estate trends in the country by pursuing a philosophy of developing properties that not only serve an economic purpose but that also uplift the quality of life for the community. Just three years after it demolished an old under-utilized apartment block on the existing site, PDM has upgraded Vienna Court with a major urban transformation, giving it a contemporary global look as well as helping to unlock its full potential and value.
“We are excited to announce the completion of Vienna Court,” said Mr. al Nashir Hasham, the Executive Director at PDM Holdings. “A sneak peek of the building attests to the amount of effort PDM has put in to ensure it delivers the best grade-A office space in the city,’’ he added.
In June 2015, Nairobi County government launched a Sh530 billion urban integrated development master plan which includes redevelopment of old housing estates, high storey car park buildings and rehabilitation of medical facilities. The plan seeks to salvage the city’s past glory blemished by aging buildings and a surging urban population in need of settlement. Nairobi was once known as the Green City in the Sun. The County government has already issued a tender for rehabilitation of its 17,000 houses, even as it seeks to create 100,000 new units to accommodate 650,000 people.
A recent survey by the World Bank which sampled 750 cities across the world also termed city renewal as one of the factors that attracts more investors, fueling economic growth.
The Vienna Court is among only a few projects in East Africa with international Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) pre-certification, awarded for embracing green features like rainwater harvesting, balconies for solar shading, solar control glass, LED lighting with motion sensors, and bicycle storage facilities, among others.
Unlike projects where ecosystems are interrupted during construction, trees and an island were preserved and used as central features while excavating the current site. The architects have also used local pink stone helping incorporate vintage Independence era Kenyan design style with trendy modern finishes, achieving an enviable facelift while preserving the property’s rich history.
The building is fitted with a gym, a cafeteria, modern conferencing facilities with break-out areas, and a large landscaped central courtyard with reflecting pools creating a serene office environment. It provides ample parking space with 409 parking bays representing 1 parking slot for every 265 square feet of space. Priority will also be given to energy efficient cars in the time to come in a bid to promote environmental sustainability across the board.
