An occasional walk downtown is good for your economic health check. The Nairobi central business district (CBD) gives a pulse of the entire economy, beyond government-published data.
The beauty of the CBD is that it’s small and diverse. Every sector is represented, and every trade and community are there. It’s a microcosm of the whole society.
One curious observation after such a recent walk is the number of empty buildings on the ground floor. Let us add the closed hotels which should be turned into apartments or even hostels. Think of Hilton downtown becoming a University of Nairobi hostel!
Traditionally, the ground floor is the choicest location for entrepreneurs.
Easy access to customers except for services whose appetite for ambience is well known. Think of lawyers or investment bankers. Being on a high floor gives a view and is a plus. Higher floors are also popular with impression creators and power. It’s unlikely that the CEO will be on the ground floor in office blocks.
Some enterprises love the ground floor naturally. Supermarkets, garages, hardware, factories, and warehouses among others. This is because of bulkiness and logistics. You take yourself out for a haircut. And come out lighter! In hardware?
Lure renters
Visibility, particularly in services attracts people to the ground floor, looking for a restaurant or bank upstairs does not add up. Imagine going to…
