Global Real Estate Dealmakers

Ep. 7 Wacu Mbugua - Nairobi, Kenya

Kyle Naye Season 1 Episode 7

A research analyst at Nairobi-based Cytonn Investments, Wacu Mbugua joins to discuss her experience during quarantine and and the pandemic's effects on the firm's real estate development projects. Given her experience with site feasibility analyses and acquisitions due diligence across the firm's portfolio, Wacu has a keen perspective on the drivers of real estate investment in Kenya and the ways in which her firm is capitalizing on these trends. Founded in 2015, Cytonn Investments is a developer of large-scale residential and mixed-use projects that cater to a cross-section of the population from high-income to lower middle income earners.  The firm's total development costs for completed projects, projects under construction, and projects in the pipeline are estimated at 82 billion Kenyan Schilling (KSh), or ~$800mm USD.


Additional Information:


Favorite Buildings

Hotel: Sarova Stanley - https://www.sarovahotels.com/stanley-nairobi/

Office: Prism Towers - http://prism.kingsdevelopers.com/

Retail: Two Rivers Mall - https://tworivers.co.ke/

Residential: Amara Ridge - https://cytonn.com/real-estate/amara-ridge


Favorite Recreational Areas

Karura Forest - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karura_Forest

Uhuru Park - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uhuru_Park

Nairobi Safari Walk - http://www.kws.go.ke/content/nairobi-safari-walk

Giraffe Center - https://www.giraffecentre.org/


Favorite Restaurants

Java House - https://www.javahouseafrica.com/

Habesha Ethiopian - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Habesha-Ethiopian-Restaurant-Nairobi/155890434474877

The Talisman - https://www.thetalismanrestaurant.com/


Favorite Neighborhoods

Karen - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen,_Kenya

Westlands - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westlands,_Nairobi