Westlands has emerged as the premier district for business and investment within the Nairobi Metropolis.
According to real estate company, Hass Consult, the neighbourhood bordering the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD), has surpassed prominent areas such as Upperhill and Mombasa Road to become the most lucrative investment hub.
Hass Consult attributes the recent rise of Westlands to its well-developed road network, infrastructure, and accessibility.
Significantly, the ascendancy of Westlands follows the government's official launch of the Nairobi Expressway, which connects Westlands to areas near the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Furthermore, the dual carriageway of Waiyaki Way adds to the advantage of Westlands, particularly due to its proximity to the CBD.
Regarding accessibility, Westlands benefits from its easy reachability from numerous estates including Kilimani, Kileleshwa, Parklands, Kitusuru, and others.
Given these favourable conditions, real estate companies have noted a surge in demand for office and rental units within the area.
"Tenants in the rental market also considered other factors such as accessibility and convenience when choosing where to let.
"For this reason, Westlands, which is served by a good road network and has emerged as the most attractive business district in the city, reported a 5.8 per cent increase in asking rent, outperforming all other suburbs," read the report in part.
Conversely, other real estate companies like Knight Frank have credited the recent allure of Westlands to the high-quality office spaces available in the area.
In particular, Grade A offices within Westlands have enticed multinational companies and corporations to establish their presence in the region.
Grade A office spaces boast state-of-the-art amenities including lifts and gyms. Moreover, these offices are situated in buildings with iconic designs, both externally and internally.
"Another key trend is the surge in demand for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) compliant offices driven by multinational corporations. Westlands continues to maintain its status as the most sought-after location for such office spaces.
"This preference can be attributed to its abundant supply of Grade A offices, making it an ideal hub for businesses looking for ESG-compliant space," read Knight Frank's Africa Offices Market Dashboard report in part.
Most office spaces are rented between Ksh100 to Ksh150 per square foot per month.
