The Kenyan Coast is set to become the home of a transformative contemporary marina and hotel development upon the launch of English Point Marina; which is expected to change the Mombasa city tour experience.
Article written by English Point Marina
The marina resort is anticipated to put Kenya on the map of the huge luxury boat markets in the Mediterranean region, Egypt, Dubai, South Africa and the Far East offering the unique proposition of a safari tour experience from a marina destination. Situated on a spectacular water-front across the creek from the Fort Jesus, English Point Marina will be an iconic and landmark multi use development that will attract an investment of approximately US$50 million.
The property which sits across the magnificent skyline of Mombasa will feature onsite facilities such as a hotel, conferencing facility, a roof-top restaurant, a casino, swimming pool, serviced apartments, sea front restaurant of international standard, spa & gym, boardwalk with retail outlets, underground car parking, water-sport centre and a first of its kind serviced marina.
Alnoor Kanji, one of English Point Marina‘s developers said the investment has the ability to open up the high-end international investment market for Kenya as well as the high end tourist market. This will enhance Kenya’s image and profile. English Point Marina is designed to attract cruising yachts, international boat races and water sports competitions such as kitesurfing, wind-surfing, and deep-sea fishing among others.
Luxury charter services will be present, capable of providing private cruises to other coastal destinations such as Lamu & Zanzibar with their centuries-old history & civilization.
The development of this marina concept comes at a time when the local industry is highly optimistic of the growth momentum for the tourism sector. Recently, Kenya reported a 16 percent rise in international arrivals for the first quarter of 2010 due to the market diversification efforts which have lured new tourists from China, India and the Gulf region.
Announcing the launch of the development plan for the dollar project, Tourism Minister Najib Baiaia, said the project ties in well with Kenya’s development blueprint, the Kenya Vision 2030.
Repositioning of the Coast circuit, opening under utilized parks and providing niche products are the key drivers towards the government achieving this vision through the tourism sector.
The Government aims to make Kenya one of the top 10 long haul tourist destinations, offering diverse and high-end experiences to a target five million tourists per year. “With landmark investments such as this, our aim is not a long shot,” Said Mr Balala.
The development has been designed by multi award winning architects, Broadway Malyan in the UK. According to an annual ranking survey by Architects Journal (AJ) which ranks UK’s top 100 architecture practices, Broadway Malyan is ranked among the top 10.
Only recently, Mombasa played host to the 100-meter luxury boat owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. Unfortunately, the vessel had to be moored midstream with no service facilities. “English Point will have a fully serviced 5-star marina; it is the first of its kind in East Africa,” said Mr Kanji.
The Kenyan economy relies heavily on agriculture, tourism and remittances from abroad from its Kenya citizens in the diaspora for economic growth and much needed foreign exchange. Kenya’s services sector, which contributes about 63 percent of GDP, is dominated by tourism.
The sheer magnitude of this 5 star investment will herald the creation of more jobs in the services sector. The developers project a work force of 400 during the construction phase and a work force of 200 when the development is completed. The apartments will provide a wonderful opportunity for international and local investors to own a piece of this unique development and lifestyle.
English Point Marina comes on the verge of an anticipated expansion of Mombasa Port which will require high end real estate to accommodate the influx of professionals and managers. Lamu is equaly being prepared for Lamu Port; one of Kenya’s biggest infrastructural investments since independence. These developments are expected to make Mombasa one of Kenya’s commercial & financial hubs.
Notes about the developers
Mombasa born brothers Alnoor and Amyn Kanji had the vision when they acquired the property at English Point to recognize its unique location and untapped potential. Alnoor and Amyn both gained degrees in the UK with Alnoor successfully qualifying with a BSC degree in Pharmacy from Leicester and Amyn with a BA Hons degree and MBBS in Medicine from Oxford and London. Alnoor spent time in the UK and Canada working within the Pharmacy sector before returning to Kenya to become the Managing Director of Jubilee Hardwares Ltd in Mombasa and undertaking the development and management of Pinewood Beach Resort & Spa. Alnoor and Amyn have assembled an excellent team of professionals to realise their vision for English Point. These include Broadway Malyan, a leading international practice of architects, urbanists and designers; Beckett Rankine who did the preliminary feasibility and masterplan of the marina; Walcon Marine, prominent Marina consultants; XCO2 for best practice on sustainability issues.
The Show Home has been open for viewing since June 2010. Construction of the main development started in October 2010. The brothers bring with them the experience of building and managing the award winning Pinewood Beach Resort & Spa in Galu Beach, south of Mombasa.
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