Cytonn Triplex Towers would have been one of the most iconic buildings not only in Kenya but Africa at large if the construction project would have kicked off.
The triplex towers were set to be erected at the junction of Elgeyo Marakwet and Argwings Kodhek roads in Kilimani estate, Nairobi.
The towers were to stand on a four acre piece of land with each of the towers comprising 35 storeys.
The towers were to host 180 hotel rooms, 160 serviced apartments, three bedroom duplexes, penthouse suites and an underground parking that could accommodate up to 1500 cars.
The Cytonn Investments Management Limited owned-project was set to be completed in December this year at a cost of Kshs20 billion, including the price of the piece of land.
The big dream however failed to materialize and ended up being just a dream on paper. Cytonn was handed a construction permit by the Nairobi City County in July 2017.
The Cytonn project however suffered a major blow on April 30,2018 when the same county decided to cancel their permit, since developers could not explain how they would deal with the surge in traffic that the project would have triggered.
Locals in Kilimani also objected to the project citing disturbance of their lives and businesses. Owners of Cavina school as well complained about the construction of Cytonn towers saying that the massive construction would put at risk the health and safety of their learners.
The investors moved to court to challenge Nairobi City County’s decision saying that it had no authority to nullify a permit it once granted. They further claimed they had addressed the issue of a surge in traffic.
In 2020 however, Justice John Mativo ruled against Cytonn saying that there was no evidence to prove that city hall had abused its powers by canceling the project.
Having no other option left, the investors decided to put up the piece of land for sale in January last year.
“Due to recent negative publicity, thanks to my two buddies in Upper Hill, we now have to sell [the land] to improve liquidity for our real estate funds… We are selling the best land in Kilimani,” Cytonn CEO Edwin Dande said in a statement last year.
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