Sunset Boulevard to get a modern trading centre

Sunset Boulevard, the middle-class gated estate with affordable homes, is set to have a commercial centre soon. The multibillion shilling, modern commercial facility will comprise a school, bus stop, playgrounds and a recreation area with lots of greenery in the middle.

It will complement the first phase, which comprises more than 400 houses.

Situated on 28 acres in Athi River, the estate responds to the needs of many middle class Kenyans, who wish to live in a serene environment in a peri-urban area.

“After so many high-end projects, we felt the average Kenyan needs to be served as well, so we created Sunset Boulevard,” says Mr Mirie Gachathi of Sunset Boulevard Ltd, the man behind the project.

He added that he was keen to fill the gap in low-cost housing with good quality construction, unique and innovative design to add a new facet to the market.

Sunset Boulevard is situated 400 metres off  the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, and is not too far from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

The project is designed to leave a large space in the middle while incorporating its unique designs within its perimeter. Children can play around without the risk of being hit by cars while adults can relax and jog in the middle of the project or take a stroll in the walkway planned along the river’s edge.

The first phase of the project began in 2011, and the end of last year, some 400 units had been completed. Mr Gachathi says it is now time to visualise and roll out the second phase, given the demand for more low-cost housing.

An interesting thing about Sunset Boulevard is that, the higher the floor, the cheaper the apartment. A one-bedroom apartment goes for  less than Sh3 million while a two-bedroom one goes for under Sh4 million. A three-bedroom house costs less than Sh6 million, while cash and bulk buyers get discounts.

The houses are relatively affordable thanks to the use of local materials. The proprietor also negotiates prices with the suppliers and strives to keep  overhead costs as low as possible.

“We are happy to pass these advantages to our clients and create a new niche of quality housing at competitive prices,” said Mr Gachathi.

The developers, who have been building residential homes in the country since 2004, have completed a number of high-end projects in Kileleshwa, Lavington and Karen, and have shown that they can deliver good quality within budget.