Sh2bn shopping complex to replace historical motel
An artistic impression of the Meru Greenwood Park, which comprises a shopping mall, apartments and an office block and is to be built on land now occupied by the Pig and Whistle hotel, the oldest hotel in Meru Town. The hotel will be demolished to pave the way for the county’s first shopping mall. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- The mall, whose construction is scheduled to start next month, will cost Sh2 billion.
- The hotel, which once served as the home of the first colonial district commissioner, is located on a seven-acre property along River Kathita.
- Pig and Whistle has had its fair share of fame when George and Joy Adamson of the Born Free movie fame stayed there. By then Joy was still married to her first husband.
Pig and Whistle, the oldest hotel in Meru Town, will be demolished to pave the way for the county’s first shopping mall.
Meru Greenwood Park will comprise a 25,000 square metre shopping mall, 20,000 square metre Grade A office block, 50-two and three bedroom apartments and a 240 slot public car park.
“We want to take advantage of emerging opportunities in counties to spur development and leisure in Meru. We expect to create employment and open up the market,” Mr Luke Kinoti, the chief executive of developers Fusion Capital, said.
FADED GLORY
The mall, whose construction is scheduled to start next month, will cost Sh2 billion.
Meru Governor Peter Munya has for a while been encouraging investors to put up offices in Meru Town to address inadequate office space for government and businesses.
Pig and Whistle has had its fair share of fame when George and Joy Adamson of the Born Free movie fame stayed there. By then Joy was still married to her first husband.
The hotel, which once served as the home of the first colonial district commissioner, is located on a seven-acre property along River Kathita.
Its name is derived from the many wild pigs that were resident in the area when it was built.
It dates back to the 1900s when Sir Edward Butler Horne (locally known Kangangi) settled there.
The facility is now run-down. The cottages, some built in the 1930s, still have furnishings and fittings dating back then.
The hotel has a handsome central building from the colonial period with a good restaurant (mid-range), with outside tables separated by flowering hedges, friendly staff and excellent security.
