AERA Westlands, has been unveiled it will be a new 19-floor residential development comprising 360 suites /MOSES MATIBA Nairobi’s residential property market is facing fresh questions over apartment sizes and affordability as buyers weigh the convenience of prime locations against the cost of securing more living space.
The shift is now presenting a challenge for developers in established neighbourhoods such as Westlands, where apartment values have come under pressure amid growing supply.
Data from HassConsult’s Q2 2026 Property Index showed apartment values in Westlands declined by 6.5 percent year-on-year, even as property prices across Nairobi’s suburbs rose by 0.9 percent quarter-on-quarter.
The divergent trends point to a residential market in which location alone may not guarantee price growth, forcing developers and investors to pay closer attention to apartment sizes, pricing and changing buyer preferences.
The debate is emerging as developers continue to build high-rise residential projects targeting professionals, families, investors and diaspora buyers seeking homes close to commercial centres and other urban amenities.
One such development is AERA Westlands, a 19-floor residential project comprising 360 suites, whose units include one-bedroom apartments measuring between 75 and 95 square metres, a two-bedroom option spanning 151 square metres and three-bedroom units of about 200 square metres.
AERA Westlands sales manager Wendy Nyambura says the development’s mix of apartment sizes shows buyers are increasingly prioritising usable living space over the traditional appeal of a prime address.
“Today’s buyers are becoming more discerning about what they expect from a home. It is no longer just about location. It is about the space they get, the quality of their living environment, the flexibility of their choices and the long-term value their investment offers,” said Nyambura.
However, the commercial viability of larger apartments will depend on their selling prices, financing costs and the ability of prospective buyers to afford them, particularly as mortgage repayments and other homeownership expenses remain important considerations.
Larger units also present a different investment proposition. While they may appeal to families seeking longer-term homes, their higher purchase prices could narrow the pool of potential buyers and tenants compared with smaller apartments.
