Nairobi is home to some of the most lavish residential estates in East and Central Africa. These estates are home to some of the wealthiest individuals in the country.
In this article, Nairobileo.co.ke takes a look at one of the most expensive houses in the country.
The mansion dubbed, Magnolia Hills House 12, sits on a one-acre parcel of land. It was sold for Ksh650 million (adjusted for inflation) in 2014.
According to ArchDatum magazine, the house was designed and constructed by architect Mehraz Ehsani. It was completed in early 2014.
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Ehsani reportedly built the house as a family home and also as an expansive venue for a large gathering.
"The design of the house is a modern interpretation of life in the Kenyan countryside, where people enjoy brilliant sun-filled days and the beauty of nature, while at night, retire to the darker spaces intended for sleep.
"In every way, the design endeavours to respect its relation to nature and makes specific use of the unique weather conditions in Nairobi, allowing grand spaces which neither need cooling nor heating," Zana Development Marketing, which marketed the property, said in an article.
The house can accommodate between 200 and 250 guests at a time.
According to the marketing company, the design and construction process for the house was uniquely tailored to bring about the classy finish that the house is all about.
"The floors and walls are the most exclusive imported from India. The wardrobes and the kitchens are made by the same company that makes interiors for Mercedes."
The house also has two large kitchens, a gym, six bedrooms (all en-suite), extensive balconies, an inside and outside jacuzzi, two staff quarters and a garage for three cars.
Magnolia Hills House 12 also incorporates a unique security feature in the form of swimming pools.
According to architect Ehasani, the pools provide more than just luxury. They act as a buffer zone to protect the house's external glass walls that would make it vulnerable to break-ins.
The house has reportedly not had any incidents of insecurity in the last five years.
“There was a lot of insecurity in Kenya some 20 or 30 years ago. Thieves would come into the houses at will. I decided that if the country is so beautiful, you don’t want to look at that beauty through steel bars.
“We created the swimming pools that are motes and they exist in front of the living room and we can have all the glass free without burglar-proof bars. If you want to come and take a TV you have to go through two and a half meters of water. If the owner wants to be particularly dangerous, they can put a crocodile in there,” Ehsani explained.
When it rains, one of the glass walls allows you to watch as the drops hit the swimming pool, making a beautiful view. The glass wall also drains the water, creating the impression of its like one is watching a cascading waterfall from inside a cave.
Ehsani is a member of the billionaire family that developed the Village Market in Gigiri.
It has a huge library whose doors can be moved to connect it with the living room.
It has four acres of communal landscaped gardens, which provide beauty, privacy and uninterrupted views of distant trees and luxuriant gardens.
Here is a video and more photos:
