Les Jardins, a residential project in New Kitisuru, Nairobi, has been awarded the Best International Residential Development for 2025–2026 at the International Property Awards in London.
It stood out from over 2,000 entries from around the world, places like the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
This win is a big thumbs-up for Nairobi, showing it’s becoming a hot spot for unique, high-end home investments.
Robin Reecht is the developer, with the award pointing to a stunning achievement, and also shines a light on how East Africa’s luxury housing scene is stepping up on the global stage.
Nairobi has kept drawing in big international organizations, aid groups, tech companies, and investors.
Kitisuru sits right next to Gigiri, where the United Nations Office in Nairobi is based, along with a bunch of embassies, making it one of East Africa’s prime spots.
Les Jardins features just nine homes with views over the New Kitisuru valleys. They’re super close to great international schools, hospitals, and fun spots like parks and clubs, which are huge draws for buyers these days.
“African cities are vying for investment and top talent, and offering lifestyle-focused living spaces is key to standing out. Projects like Les Jardins show how urban areas are evolving. It’s not just about the location—the design ties in nature and adapts to the climate,” says Reecht.
This fits into the challenges many African builders face, like dealing with climate change, crowded cities, and protecting the environment.
During construction, they replanted any greenery that was moved, using terraces and rooftop gardens to blend the buildings seamlessly with nature.
They chose local plants that can handle the weather, and built with compressed straw to cut down on carbon emissions—way less than traditional stone houses. It’s all about meeting global eco-standards while keeping things practical.
The design comes from ULO Architecture, a firm that works out of both London and Nairobi. It’s a great example of how Africa is adding its voice to worldwide design talks.
Inside, the homes are flexible for families across generations or busy professionals. Think open kitchens that flow into herb gardens, and materials like coral stone, wood, terracotta, and lime plaster—chosen for durability and to fit the local vibe.
This mix of international style with homegrown smarts is part of a shift in African architecture focusing on what works here, rather than copying from elsewhere.
The award puts Nairobi firmly on the map for luxury real estate, especially as African cities compete for wealthy buyers and big money.
Nairobi has been touted as a hub for diplomacy and global companies and has solid transport links, thriving expat communities, and strong financing options for property, putting it in spots like Cape Town, Lagos, and Kigali.
