A truly unique four-bedroom home arranged around a beautiful central piazza, with an architectural layout quite unlike anything else we have seen.
The house is composed of a series of individual detached pods, each of the bedrooms occupying its own structure. Two larger central pods form the heart of the home: one housing the kitchen and dining areas, the other a generous living room with fireplace and double doors out to a covered veranda. Above these sit the two principal bedroom suites, overlooking the gardens and central courtyard.
Set on approximately 1.8 acres, the grounds are wonderfully established and feature an extraordinary swimming pool incorporated into a natural pond, surrounded by lilies and papyrus. Tucked separately within the property is a detached, double-storey two-bedroom guesthouse.
There are a number of singularly remarkable details throughout the property, perhaps most strikingly the woodwork. Vast, beautifully aged mahogany planks have been used extensively throughout the house—the sheer length, width and thickness of the timber is something we have rarely, if ever, encountered in another Nairobi home.
This is an immensely individual property: architectural, beautifully crafted and full of character, with a wonderful relationship between the buildings, water and mature gardens.
The location
Oloolua Ridge is one of the more rural pockets of Karen, characterised by larger plots, mature countryside and neighbouring properties that are still predominantly used for equestrian purposes. The result is a wonderfully peaceful setting with a genuine sense of being away from Nairobi.
Despite this distinctly rural feel, the property remains remarkably accessible. The heart of Karen is close at hand, with The Talisman Restaurant only around 10–15 minutes away, offering the rather rare combination of country living without being remotely isolated.
