GTC: Nairobi’s hub for trade, culture, and arts nears completion
You can now become part of Nairobi’s urban elite by occupying one of the hottest offerings in the city’s real estate business—executive residences—at the Nairobi Global Trade Centre (GTC).
The executive residences at the region’s lifestyle and business address will feature a state-of-the-art office tower, a mall, and hospitality services with JW Marriot Hotel just a block away.
The executive residences, which are now ready for occupation, provide among others a sky private club complete with a gym, spa, hair, and nail salon, café, and a mini-cinema theatre.
Alongside, both GTC’s Office Tower and retail zones are currently being leased with official operation on track by June this year. The 300,000-square-meter complex offers hospitality, retail, luxury hotel, and community spaces. With an investment value of $500 million, GTC ushers in a new era in real estate as Kenya takes its position on the global stage.
The development amplifies the urban concept of HOPSCA that puts together hotels, offices, parking, a shopping mall, convention, and apartments. The 3A plus Office Tower, now the tallest occupiable space in East Africa, is setting a new standard regionally in workplace design by using column-free floorplates and an optimal internal planning grid.
Within this design, structural pillars are positioned away from the central floor area, unlike in most other commercial spaces. This enables efficient workplace design, providing a variety of office layouts that can adapt as businesses evolve.
The GTC Office Tower is modeled to become the ideal home for Fortune 500 companies, super brands across Africa, as well as innovators across industries. It features cutting-edge technology and environmentally-sustainable designs such as Low-E glass for enhanced natural lighting (non-reflective glass that ensures heat control and blocks harmful UV rays).
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Unlike conventional buildings, the complex’s air ventilation system increases fresh air flow by 30 percent while a double-column breathable curtain wall lets natural movement of air, reducing the need for air conditioning and therefore energy usage.
The executive residences are central to the GTC community and showcase a total of 514 luxury units in four towers. Some of the residences which will open soon will be serviced apartments operated by Pan Pacific Hotel Group, an entity that runs hotels, resorts, and services suites as the Singapore-based company enters the African market through Nairobi.
The other residences will be managed as a white label at the owner’s discretion. With more than 60 percent of apartments already sold, the residencies are prime targets for international firms, investors, and Kenyans living and working abroad wishing to invest in prime property.
Complementing the residences will be amenities such as wellness and fitness, a rooftop garden complete with an outdoor jogging track, an outdoor pool, a children’s playground, mini cinema, and a wine and cigar bar onsite.
The GTC also provides about 11,529 square meters of highly curated retail including exceptional food and dining, an upscale gym, banking, and service amenities, and fashion centres. The developers, who claim leasing in the retail segment has crossed 65 percent, have already signed Asian lifestyle retailer Miniso, which is preparing to house its largest regional brand outlet in Kenya. All the shops are designed to fulfill the needs of the commercial, residential, hotel, and general clientele.
Overall, GTC Nairobi is modeled as a representation of modern living and its crown will be the five-star luxury hotel JW Marriott, which is set to open doors at the end of this year.
JW Marriott Nairobi will feature 315 guest rooms, 50 serviced apartments, and 760 square meters of conferencing space an offering that is set to spice up hospitality offerings within Kenya’s capital as the brand debuts in East Africa’s largest economy.
“We are proud to become the hallmark of commerce for what is such a strategic core market on the continent. What we offer is a blueprint for conscious, modern living within an urban setting. Ours will be the home to headquarters of some of the world’s leading companies,” Mr Gong Yuxian, General Manager of GTC Nairobi.
“As a leading investment and development company we are fully committed to long-term, responsible investment in the Kenyan market. Despite the challenges of the pandemic and global economic downturn we have delivered an exceptional and iconic community unparalleled on the continent,” he noted.
