Troubled Sh730m Everest Park given new lease of life
By Noel Wandera, November 14, 2019
The Sh730 million Everest Park Estate which has been on the watch list of authorities on safety concerns got a reprieve after the National Building Inspectorate (NIB) gave it a clean bill of health.
The project, which was financed by Shelter Afrique, risked huge losses after the structural fitness of housing units was put into question by the agency.
Safety concerns were raised over two blocks in Phase One of the project which constitutes 240 one-to three-bedroom apartments in Mavoko, Athi River.
Several of the houses developed massive cracks in 2017, prompting the NIB to undertake a structural audit of the newly-built property.
The audit findings condemned the building due to structural weaknesses. Everest Park Ltd was compelled to correct the defects, an undertaking that has now given the project the much-needed occupation green light, saving face for the project amid an acute shortage of housing in the country.
Distressed realtors
In a letter addressed to the distressed realtors, NBI Secretary Moses Nyakiongora told the project architect HM Gatai of Gem Archplans the project was now safe.
“Following an inspection of blocks 2B and 2F, on 23rd September 2019, we now confirm that the safety concerns raised at Everest Park hasve been satisfactorily addressed,” he said.