Kenyatta International Convention Centre
| Kenyatta International Convention Centre | |
|---|---|
'Kenyatta International Convention Centre'
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| Record height | |
| Preceded by | Hilton Nairobi |
| Surpassed by | Teleposta Towers |
| General information | |
| Type | Commercial |
| Location | Nairobi, Kenya |
| Coordinates | 1°17′19″S 36°49′23″E / 1.28861°S 36.82306°ECoordinates: 1°17′19″S 36°49′23″E / 1.28861°S 36.82306°E |
| Completed | 1974 |
| Height | |
| Roof | 105 m (344 ft) |
| Top floor | 28 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 28 |
| Floor area | 225,000 sq metres |
| Lifts/elevators | 5 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | David Mutiso, Karl Henrik Nøstvik |
The Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) is a 28-story building located in Nairobi, Kenya. The KICC is located in the City Square of Nairobi, and a crucial address for a number of Government offices, including those of recently elected Senators. It is an internationally renowned venue for conferences, meetings, exhibitions and special events within walking distance of several five star hotels. During its 41-year history it has been the host of several international conferences, seminars, exhibitions and summits.
The Center is ranked as one of the top places to hold conferences on the continent, a feat considering its age in comparison to shiner venues and locations throughout Africa. KICC was the tallest structure in Nairobi up until the mid 2000s when the construction of the Times Tower, the home of the Kenya Revenue Authority, was completed. The building has since then seceded its position as the tallest tower to a host of other newer projects including the UAP Old Mutual Tower, which completes construction in 2016, the KCB Pensions Tower and Hass Tower, which has just broken ground and is set to be the tallest structure on the continent.
The Kenyatta International Conference Centre, colloquially known as the "KICC", was commissioned by Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, the 1st President of the Republic of Kenya, in 1967. It was designed by David Mutiso and a Norwegian architect Karl Henrik Nøstvik and the construction was carried out by contractors Solel Boneh & Factah. This was done in three phases. Phase I was the construction of the podium, Phase II consisted of the main tower and Phase III involved the Plenary. Construction was completed in 1973, with the opening ceremony occurring in September 1973 presided over by President Kenyatta. The Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) was then made a State Corporation established under the Tourism Act. 2011 that came into operation on 1 September 2012. Whereas the center is known as a leading meeting venue in Nairobi, its national mandate following the Act became to nurture and promote the country as a destination most preferred for business travel and MICE tourism. M.I.C.E has been recognized as one of the four key products to be developed under the Kenya Vision 2030.
In September 2013, as the iconic complex celebrated its 40th anniversary, it was renamed to the Kenyatta International Convention Center.
The KICC currently stands as the third tallest building in Kenya, reaching a height of just over 105 metres. It succeeded the Hilton Nairobi as the tallest building in Kenya, a position it held for 26 years before being surpassed by Teleposta Tower. The tower consists of 28 floors, including a revolving restaurant which offers panoramic views of the city, rotating 360° in 76 minutes. The building's light teracotta façade reflects traditional African architecture, as does the use of simple solid shapes- cuboids make up the Plenary hall, the tower consists of a cylinder composed of several cuboids and the amphitheatre and helipad both resemble cones.
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