The first phase of the construction of Ruparelia Group’s Pearl Business Park, is well underway, with structural works on Tower 1, an 18-storied retail and office property, now on the 6th floor.
Tower 1 is the first of 10 office towers, to be erected at Plot 1, Yusuf Lule Road, at what will be known as The Pearl Business Park- an 18-acre mixed-use park, with a 5-star hotel, a shopping mall and a modern hospital when it is completed. The development will be Ruparelia Group’s largest.
“Work is progressing smoothly, and we are now on the 6th of 18 floors,” Dr Sudhir Ruparelia, the Group’s Chairman told CEO East Africa Magazine.
“Tower 1 consists of 15 levels — 2 for parking and 13 of lettable space with a total of 30,000 built up sqm, out of which 15,000 sqm is lettable,” he said adding that, the project was well within its construction schedules.
“Meera Investments Limited, part of the Ruparelia Group, is Uganda’s most experienced, trusted and financially stable property company in Uganda which allows us to deliver our projects on time,” he said.
“Being the largest property developer has enabled us to put up some of Kampala’s most iconic property developments, many of which have both redefined the city’s architecture but also redefined Kampala’s skyline,” he said, adding: “Meera prides itself in: Using professionals from design to finish, sourcing and procuring the best and most durable building materials, using the most efficient and innovative project management practices, thus creating sustainable projects.”
The Pearl Business Park was designed by Symbion Uganda Limited, one of the region’s leading multinational architectural firms with over 35 years of heritage in East and Southern Africa. Symbion has developed multiple award-winning projects extending from commercial, medical, institutional, hotel and residential developments, amongst others.
In an earlier interview with CEO East Africa Magazine, Rajiv Ruparelia, the Managing Director of Ruparelia Group, touted the project as one of a few green projects.
“We are optimising the designs to make it a green building. We are also building to the highest health and safety specifications, such as is required by sectors with high standards, like the oil and gas sector,” he said.
Pearl Bank Celebrates Customers in Festive Campaign Dubbed Pearl SantaTower 1, he said has a total vehicle parking capacity of 360 vehicles— 199 vehicles in basements, 1 and 2 as well as 161 vehicles in the surface parking on the ground floor level.
“Our parking to lettable space ratio is 1 parking space per 37 sqm of lettable space, well above the industry standards of 1 parking per 50sqm.”
Rajiv also said that the building’s location, design and features have been optimised to maximise functionality, safety and productivity in mind.
“Tower 1 is optimally located- at the confluence of Old Kiira and Yusuf Lule Roads. This makes it easily accessible to both private motorists and users of public transport. This location is also proximal to the Central Business District, key landmarks such as Makerere University, Mulago Hospital, several hotels, banks, several government offices as well as key shopping, recreation, healthcare and educational facilities,” said Rajiv.
On top of a 3-phase Umeme mains supply, Rajiv said, the building also has a 24 hrs power backup standby generator, capable of running for 4 days non-stop, a duplex passenger lift with automatic sliding doors and rescue intercom as well as an additional 1 large heavy-duty goods.
“The building is connected to the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) mains that pours into a large underground water tank, where on-site pumps, pump it to overhead storage tanks at the rooftop. This guarantees reliable water supply, at all levels and the right pressure,” he said.
“Regarding safety and security, the building’s floors are finished with non-slip tiles. There are fire extinguishers in the common areas, fire hose reels, emergency fire escape staircase routes, a centralised fire evacuation alarm system and a firefighting pump and sprinklers system within the covered parking floors. Over and above 24hrs security personnel, the entire facility is covered by 24hrs high-intensity surveillance CCTV cameras, linked to a 24hr operational security control room,” he said.
