Kenya cuts the sod for Africa's tallest building in Nairobi

Construction has begun on Africa’s tallest building in Kenya’s capital Nairobi which will cost about $200 million.

The 900-feet twin Pinnacle Towers will have 70 floors including a 45-floor Hilton Hotel, 20 floors of offices, 200 residential houses, 3-floor basement parking, gaming zone, 3-floor luxury mall, helipad and Africa’s highest viewing deck.

#Hass, company plans to build the tallest building in Africa in Kenya pic.twitter.com/tGppEpJBx9

— Abdinajib Dahir (@AbdinajibDahir) March 11, 2017

President Uhuru Kenyatta laid the foundation stone for the tower on Tuesday in Nairobi’s Upper Hill area where developers Hass Petroleum and White Lotus are developing the historic structure.

“Your choice to invest in Kenya is, indeed, a clear vote of confidence in the policy reforms we have been implementing in the recent past to make Kenya attractive and competitive and to reposition our tourism sector,” the president said.

I also laid the foundation stone for the Pinnacle Tower, a 70 storey building which will be the tallest tower in Africa. pic.twitter.com/IxsxuKMVMi

— President of Kenya (@PresidentKE) May 23, 2017

When completed, the Pinnacle Towers will surpass the 732 feet Carlton Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, which is currently the tallest building in Africa.

The second tallest building is also in Kenya – Britam Tower – standing at 660 feet in Nairobi.

Dubai’s Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world standing at 2,717 feet followed by the 2,073 feet Shanghai Tower in China.