HassConsult Launches First Sensory Botanical Gardens in Kenya

HassConsult Real Estate has launched its largest development yet, Enaki, Kenya’s first sensory botanical garden set to sit on 22 acres of land opposite he Nyari Estate in Nairobi.

Enaki will be made up of life-cycle housing nestled into its middle zone and featuring bespoke homes for single, young people, couples, small families, large families, downsizing families whose grown-up children have left the nest, and assisted living for the elderly.

Phase one of the project whose target market is the upper- and middle-income people is set to break ground in quarter 2 of 2019 and expected to be complete in mid-2021.

Phase one and two of the project will be made up of a total of 450 units, a move that the company noted that might be subject to changes depending on the market at the time when construction will be going on.

The pedestrianized ‘experience’ township, complete with golf carts for residents and visitors, boutique-lined high streets, a hotel, amphitheater, and floating restaurant, was conceived as the legacy project of the former Agriculture Minister the late Dr. Munyua Waiyaki on his own farmland, opposite the Nyari Estate in Nairobi.

“As developers, we began with a donated park, and realized we had an opportunity to create something entirely new in Kenya and in real estate by leading the way with a holistic botanical experience that defined the nature of the whole township and its lifestyles,” said Farhana Hassanali, CEO of HassConsult.

To connect the township with the sensory delight of the park, HassConsult moved the parking underground and created a pedestrianized network of gardens and facilities, with 70 percent of Enaki now dedicated to green space.

“The idea has been to seamlessly ignite the five human senses of sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste in an unrivaled experience for residents and visitors alike,” said Farhana.

Within the new park, a gazebo made from bamboo arches with swing seats and small ceiling lightings overlooks a water clock, as visitors enter the sun path tunnel, created by patterned shadows and enveloped in a citrus smell of waterlily and climbing plants to ignite the brain’s senses. Arches made of letters create poem verses as arrays of flowers and tree stretch either side.

The garden has then been designed around aromatic rooms made from chocolate cosmos, frangipani wisteria, gardenias, sweet aslysium, sweet peas and jasmine flowers, enhanced with colored shadow and scented tree gazebos.

The garden also includes a children’s nature park, a floating water lily restaurant, and a tea house, as well as a lake, recreational music space, water jets and fountains.