Commercial Projects

Inside GTC Tower in Nairobi

The Global Trade Centre officially opened on Dec 23, 2021.

Updated on

January 10, 2024

GTC Tower Nairobi — The GTC Complex in Westlands, Nairobi. PHOTO | COURTESY

The Global Trade Centre opened in Westlands, Nairobi, on Dec 23, 2021, adding some glamour to the fast-changing skyline of the Kenyan capital.

GTC, which includes 184m GTC Tower, opened doors to the public in an event graced by President Uhuru Kenyatta, who has since retired.

The Sh52 billion mixed-use property, whose construction began in July 2015, is owned by Chinese firm Avic, which is setting up its Africa hub in the building.

Through Avic International Real Estate Kenya, the firm built what it calls a one-of-a-kind project in East Africa at the intersection of Waiyaki Way and Chiromo Lane in Westlands – bordering Villa Rosa Kempinski and Mirage Towers.

Six imposing towers

The 7.5-acre GTC Nairobi comprises six imposing towers: a 47-level 3A Plus Office Tower, a 35-level hotel tower hosting the star-studded US chain JW Marriott hotel and four residential apartment towers of 24 to 28 levels.

It also includes a 4-storey mall on the western side of Chiromo Lane and three-storey retail from the ground floor to the third floor of GTC Office Tower, linked by two aerial corridors.

“The GTC Tower was built pegged on the HOPSCA (hotel, office, parking, shopping mall, convention, and apartment) concept for architecture design – the first of its kind in East Africa aiming to improve the quality of life and to enhance the residential value of the Westlands area,” said the GM of Nairobi GTC Gong Yuxian.

Versatile premises

HOPSCA projects are designed to create the ideal habitat model that addresses the needs of residents seeking interconnectivity with the surrounding areas.

“In a busy city such as Nairobi, tenants are increasingly looking for versatile premises that can provide their daily needs and activities at their doorstep, eliminating the need to travel to the office or get stuck in traffic to get basic needs,” said Yuxian.

The GTC Tower in Westlands, Nairobi. PHOTO | GTC

On January 26, 2022, real estate consultant Knight Frank Kenya was appointed the leasing agent for the Global Trade Centre office tower.

The then-managing director Ben Woodhams said the appointment demonstrated the company’s leadership in commercial property leasing in the country.

“Our track record of catering to the best-in-class commercial office spaces will ensure we bring in a great mix of tenants to occupy this exclusive space,” he said.