When it comes to the construction of commercial buildings, there seems to be an unspoken agreement between engineers and technology that says the higher the building, the better. Every country seems to be trying its best at meeting up with this trend and Kenya is certainly not left out. That’s why the tallest buildings in Kenya is our focus.
Nairobi is the capital and the largest city of Kenya, it is, therefore, the place where you will find most of the tallest buildings in Kenya. In Nairobi alone, you can find about 10 buildings that are more than 80 meters high (262 ft).
From buildings like Britam Tower (2017), the GTC Building (2020), and the Kenyatta International Conference Center (1974), one can say that Kenya does have its share of gigantic towers that should be held in awe. The era of building skyscrapers in Kenya started in late 1960 when the city had its first tower and ever since, this trend has continued so that in Nairobi today, you will find lots of high-rise buildings.
The inclination of erecting high-rise structures in Kenya started with the construction of The Hilton Hotel Nairobi in 1969, but the awe seems to have faded because lots of other high-rise buildings have been erected with some so much higher and finer.
Here is a list of the tallest buildings in Kenya along with the dates of their Construction.
1. Britam Tower
- Location/Address: Hospital Road, Nairobi
- Alternative name: Britam Tower
- Height: 200.1 m (656 ft)
- Floors: 31
- Construction start date: 2013
- Construction end date: September 2017
- Building function: Commercial office
Britam tower is currently the tallest building in Kenya. The skyscraper was designed by a South African architectural company named GAPP Architects and Urbanists alongside a Kenyan based company, Triad Architects for the British American Insurance Company. The 31-storey tower was completed in 2017 and it immediately became the tallest building, getting past UAP tower.
Britam boasts a prism-like shape molded in a glass with a 60 meters (197 ft) mast. It has 3 floors below the ground and 31 above the ground. Other notable features include an equal four-sided square footprint with a two-sided roof and crowned with three helical spires measuring 67m built to perform as wind turbines.
2. GTC Office Tower
- Location/Address: Waiyaki Way / Chiromo Lane in Westlands district
- Alternative name: Nairobi Global Trade Centre
- Height: 184 m (604 ft)
- Floors: 43
- Construction start date: 2014
- Construction end date: 2020
- Building function: Commercial office
GTC office tower is part of the multi-purpose building that comprises a commercial office tower, a JW Mariott anchored hotel, retail outlets, and executive residences. The commercial part offers about 42 floors of office space. The skyscraper is located at Waiyaki Way / Chiromo Lane in the Westlands district. The project started in quarter four of 2014 was projected to cost $400m. GTC tower was designed by HuaSen Architectural & Engineering Designing Consultant Ltd and developed by AVIC international Real Estate Kenya Limited, which is part of a Chinese-owned aerospace and defense firm AVIC.
3. UAP Old Mutual Tower
- Location/Address: Nairobi
- Alternative name: UAP Tower
- Height: 163 m (535 ft)
- Floors: 33
- Construction start date: 2013
- Construction end date: 2015
- Building function: Commercial office
The UAP Old Mutual Tower is currently the tallest building in Kenya. The tower is a 33-story office complex located in the Upper Hill neighborhood of Nairobi. The tower displaced Times Tower to become the tallest in the ancient city upon its completion in 2015.
4. Nairobi Global Trade Centre Hotel Tower
- Location/Address: Waiyaki Way / Chiromo Lane
- Alternative name: Nairobi GTC Hotel Tower
- Height: 143 m (469 ft)
- Floors: 35
- Construction start date: 2014
- Construction end date: 2020
- Building function: Commercial office
Just like the GTC office tower, the GTC hotel is also among the tallest towers in Kenya. The hotel offers 317 guestrooms and 51 service apartments with an 800 sqm Grand Ballroom and 7 conference rooms. The five-star hotel is the second tallest building in the GTC complex. Just like the hotel and the office tower, other aspects of the GTC building are also tall.
The residential part of the building has about 4 aspects including Residential tower 1,2,3,4) measuring 116 m (33 floors), 109 m (31),109 m (31), and 103(29) m respectively. The structure offers 524 apartments while the retail aspect features 11,592 sqm of retail space for varying vendors that will cover seven sub-sectors, such as a boutique supermarket, home furnishing, bank, catering, children’s playground, healthcare, and daily services. The multipurpose building which is AVIC’s headquarters in Africa has a total buildable area of 270,000 sqm.
5. Times Tower
- Location/Address: Haile Selassi Avenue
- Alternative name: New Central Bank Tower
- Height: 140 m (460 ft)
- Floors: 38
- Construction start date: 1992
- Construction end date: 1997
- Building function: Commercial office
Times Tower, which is also the New Central Bank Tower, is an office tower located in Nairobi, Kenya. The 140 meters (459 feet), tall building is the fifth tallest building in Kenya after the GTC hotel building and UAP tower. The office tower is set on a rock-solid concrete raft to prevent earthquakes.
6. Prism Tower
- Location/Address: Nairobi
- Alternative name: Prism Tower
- Height: 133.00 m (436 ft)
- Floors: 33
- Construction start date: 1992
- Construction end date: 2000
- Building function: Commercial office
This 34-story skyscraper was completed in 2018 as commercial office space by Kings Developers. The building which was designed by A+I Design provides pleasant office space with such friendly features as high ceilings and windows that let in lots of natural lighting as well as afford views in all directions, a rainwater harvesting system, among others.
7. Le’Mac
- Location/Address: Westlands district of Nairobi, Kenya.
- Alternative name: Le’Mac Westland
- Height: 126 m (413 ft)
- Floors: 27
- Construction start date: 2012
- Construction end date: 2017
- Building function: Residential/Commercial office
At 28 stories, the Le’Mac Tower is the 7th tallest building in Kenya, but what really sets it apart is that it’s the tallest residential building in the country. The 126 m (413 ft) building which has 27 floors is owned by Mark Properties, a reputable property developer in Nairobi. The tower is privately owned and cost an estimated US$41.5 million. The building provides 3 basement parking levels Ground floor banking and café amenities.
8. Parliament Tower
- Location/Address: Harambee Avenue, Nairobi
- Height: 125 m (410 ft)
- Floors: 26
- Construction start date: 2015
- Construction end date: 2020
- Building function: government office
Parliament tower is a 27-storey structure located in the Harambee Avenue of Nairobi. The tower is one of the tallest buildings in the city standing at 125 meters with 26 floors. The building which offers a unique architecture is expected to be completed in 2020. Although it is still under construction as of this writing, the building has reached its full height both structurally and architecturally. When completed, it will offer a spacious parking lot that could take about 400 vehicles.
9. Posta House
- Location/Address: Kenyatta Avenue Nairobi
- Alternative name: Tele Posta House, Teleposta Towers
- Height: 120 m ( 394 ft)
- Floors: 27
- Construction start date: 1996
- Construction end date: 1999
- Building function: Commercial office
This used to be the third tallest building in Kenya upon its completion in 1999. It was developed by Laxmanbhai construction with Anthony Gleeson as its architect. The building designed to serve as a landmark stands at 120 meters and has 27 floors comprising offices for Telkom Kenya, Kenya’s ministry of Information and Communications, and Kenya Ministry of Trade.
10. KCB Plaza, Nairobi
- Location/Address: Kenya Road / Hospital Road
- Alternative name: Kenya Commercial Bank Plaza
- Height: 109.1 m (358 ft)
- Floors: 24
- Construction start date: 2010
- Construction end date: 2015
- Building function: Commercial office
The Kenya Commercial Bank Plaza (KCB Plaza) is another breathtaking building in Kenya. The skyscraper which was completed in 2015 is 109.1 m (358 ft) tall. The construction of the building was proposed in 2005 while actual construction commenced in 2012. Companies like Planning Systems Services (Architect of Record), Pinnacle Projects Ltd (Project Manager), China Wu Yi (Main contractor), Armstrong & Duncan (Quantity surveyor) Baseplan Associates and EAMS Group (Engineer of Record) were all involved in the construction of the building.
11. Kenyatta International Conference Centre
- Location/Address: Harambee Avenue Nairobi Kenya
- Alternative name: KICC
- Height: 105 m (344 ft)
- Floors: 29
- Construction start date: N/A
- Construction end date: 1974
- Building function: Commercial office
The Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), formerly known as Kenyatta International Conference Centre is located in the heart of Nairobi, Kenya. It is notably one of the tallest buildings in the country. The 28-story building is an internationally renowned venue for conferences, meetings, exhibitions, and special events. It is also home to a number of government offices. The building which has been a national landmark was designed by architect Karl Nostvik Mutiso Menezes International. Upon its completion in 1974, it became the tallest building in Kenya and remained so for 20 years before it was surpassed by other structures including Posta House, KCB Plaza, Britam Tower, among others.
12. Upper Hill Chambers
- Location/Address: 2nd Ngong Avenue
- Height: 104 m (341 ft)
- Floors: 26
- Construction start date: 2015
- Construction end date: 2020
- Building function: Commercial office
The Upper Hill Chambers was designed by Adventis In-house Africa LTD and is being constructed by Gath Consulting Engineers for Upper Hill Chambers Limited, a legal firm. The main contractor is China Wu Yi Limited, a company based in Fuji. The 26-floor office building is located on 2nd Ngong Avenue, Nairobi Upper Hill. The project is expected to be completed in 2021 but it has been topped out. The tower comprises 2 penthouses, an arcade located on the ground floor, 3 parking floors, 5 upper parking floors, 15 leasable floors, data storage facilities, etc.
13. Social Security House
- Location/Address: 1E-2C Bishop’s Road
- Alternative name: NSSF Building, National Social Security Fund Building
- Height: 102.7 m (337 ft)
- Floors: 28
- Construction start date: N/A
- Construction end date: 1973
- Building function: Commercial office
The social security house which was built in 1973 is another very tall building you would find in Kenya measuring 103 m in height. The building was designed by architect J.E.D.Nyaseme & Associates alongside deMugoya Construction & Engineering LTD.
14. I & M Bank Tower, Nairobi
- Location/Address: Kenyatta Avenue
- Alternative name: Investments & Mortgages Bank Limited
- Height: 99.06 m (325 ft)
- Floors: 18
- Construction start date: N/A
- Construction end date: 2001
- Building function: Commercial office
You wouldn’t have a comprehensive list of the tallest buildings in Kenya if you have not mentioned the I&M Bank Tower located at Kenyatta Avenue. Although more and more tall structures have been developed over the years, this commercial office space remains of the tallest at 99 meters height. The building coordinates of the building are:1°17’05.0″S, 36°49’12.0″E (Latitude:-1.284714; Longitude:36.819993)
15. Moi University Pension Scheme
- Location/Address: Nairobi Road, Elodert
- Alternative name: Moi University Pension Scheme Tower complex 1
- Height: 89.00 m (325 ft)
- Floors: 26
- Construction start date: 2014
- Construction end date: 2016
- Building function: Commercial office
The gleaming, reflective structure of the Moi University Scheme complex greets visitors to Nairobi road where the high rise building is located. Its 27 stories contain primarily office suites for commercial use. The building was constructed under tow years starting from 2014 and ending in 2016. The structure offers 6 elevators and a spacious parking lot that can take about 200 vehicles. Other features of the building as reports have it include block internet user facilities, back up power supply for towers, firefighting equipments, solar energy light, etc.
16. Sanlam Tower
- Location/Address: Kenyatta Avenue
- Alternative name: Sanlam Tower
- Height: 89.00 m (292 ft)
- Floors: 20
- Construction start date: 2014
- Construction end date: 2018
- Building function: Commercial office
Sanlam Tower, home to offices and commercial space, is clad in green laminated double tempered performance glass that reflects light, typically because it is clear. The green architecture systems reduce the access viewers from outside have into the building while radiating the inside. It also promotes energy efficiency by allowing heat to build up and get absorbed from the roof which helps the building to stay cool, reducing huge expenses on cooling systems, and maintenance. The highrise building located in the Waiyaki Way and measures 343,000 sqft with over 121,000sqft lettable space. The building offers basement levels as well as a rooftop viewing. It has 20 floors (above the ground) including eighteen storey office tower with a lettable area of 15,000 square meters, a four-story basement parking, as well as a three-story above-ground parking silo.
17. Pan Africa Insurance Tower
- Location/Address: Waiyaki Way
- Height: 88.00 m (288 ft)
- Floors: 18
- Construction start date: N/A
- Construction end date: 2018
- Building function: Commercial office
Pan Africa Insurance Tower is a high rise building located in Waiyaki Way. The building measures 88.00meters above the ground and offers 18 floors. Pan African Insurance Tower was designed by GAPP Architects and Urban Designers.
18. Nyayo House, Nairobi
- Location/Address: Kenyatta Avenue
- Alternative name: Provincial Headquarters
- Height: 99.06 m (325 ft)
- Floors: 27
- Construction start date: 1979
- Construction end date: 1983
- Building function: Commercial office
Housing several government departments like the immigration and Nairobi Province, Nyayo House located at the corner of Uhuru Highway and Kenyatta Avenue is another tall building to look out for if you’re visiting Nairobi for the first time. The building which was completed in 1983 is 84 meters high and has 27 floors.
18. Cooperative Bank House, Nairobi
- Location/Address: Haile Selassie Avenue
- Alternative name: Provincial Headquarters
- Height: 99.06 m (325 ft)
- Floors: 27
- Construction start date: N/A
- Construction end date: 1981
- Building function: Commercial office
Cooperative Bank House is an office building that was completed in 1981. The building is about 83 meters in height. The architectural work of the building was done by Zevet Kenya Architects & Engineers, Mugoya Construction & Engineering LTD was its main contractor while Howard Humphreys (East Africa) Ltd.; Scarlat Shenkar Engineers served as its structural engineer.
19. National Bank House
- Location/Address: Nairobi
- Height: 82 m (269 ft)
- Floors: 21
- Construction start date: N/A
- Construction end date: 1976
- Building function: Commercial office
This skyscraper belongs to the National Bank of Kenya and is one of the oldest buildings you will find in Nairobi. It is about 82 meters and was designed by Richard Hughes and Partners.
20. Anniversary Towers, Nairobi
- Location/Address: University Way, Nairobi
- Alternative name: Kenya Re Tower
- Height: 80 m (269 ft)
- Floors: 26
- Construction start date: N/A
- Construction end date: 1992
- Building function: Commercial office
Anniversary Towers is a 26-story building located on University Way Nairobi, Kenya. It comprises a (22) storey commercial building beautifully finished in mosaic tiles and tinted glass cladding. The building is accessed through high-speed lifts and there are two basement parking levels providing big and safe parking space for the tenants.
Other Notable Mentions
1. Lonrho House, Nairobi 80 m (1990)
Lonrho House is located along the standard street. Built almost 28-years ago, the building houses businesses like – National Drought Management Authority – JAB Orengo Advocates – Daalo.
2. Reinsurance Plaza, Nairobi 77 m (1982)
Reinsurance Plaza situated at the heart of the Nairobi CBD close to major Government departments is also one of the earliest tall buildings in Kenya. The 18-storey building comprises of offices on 17 upper floors and shops on the Ground and Mezzanine floors.
3. Uchumi House, Nairobi 71 m (1972)
This 41-year-old building cannot go unmentioned in this list. Uchumi House is a 21-story high-rise building is located in Nairobi, Kenya and is 71 m tall.
4. ICEA Building, Nairobi 69 m (1981)
This iconic 21-storey house built in 1981 was initially owned by the ICEA Lion Group but in 2015 it was acquired Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
5. International House, Nairobi 66 m (1971)
The last on our list of tallest buildings in Kenya is the International House, Nairobi which was built in 1966 and is 77 meters tall.
