PROPERTY NEWS

DEVELOPERS of the multi-million naira architectural showpiece on Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos, christened Zenon Place at the weekend unveiled the edifice to the public at a grand event chaired by the Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

The project, promoted F. O. Properties Limited, a subsidiary of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited - owned by Femi Otedola, the businessman son of former Lagos State governor, Sir Michael Otedola - was transformed from a multi-purpose complex at the embassies neighbourhood into the new corporate headquarters of Zenon Group. It is a dual project comprising an office complex and a jetty.

The firm has also began construction work on a 16 units apartment with eight terrace houses on a one hectare parcel of land in Abuja to be known as Zenon Mansion.

Messrs Julius Berger Nigeria Plc was the main contractor and consultant for structural, mechanical and electrical engineering works as well as landscaping and part of the jetty construction team for Zenon Place. Others involved in the project were Foundation Construction Limited (shoreline protection) and Walcon Marine Limited, United Kingdom (Pontoon installation).

Specifically, Zenon Place consists of a main building on two floors with penthouse as well as six office blocks with 16 open offices and six meeting rooms. The ground floor of the main building has a double reception area and spacious corridors, waiting area, open office plan offices as well as rest rooms evenly distributed across the floor to serve guests and staff with fully fitted kitchenette.

The first floor is fitted with three conference rooms and the managing director's office, private reception and waiting lounge. There are also an open-floor, glass/stainless steel staircase and glass/stainless steel bridge linking lift to the floor across the void, a fitted kitchenette and cellular offices in alternate glass or transparency work culture.

The penthouse houses the president/chairman's office finished in contemporary style, designed to overlook Five Cowries Creek and equipped with silk carpet and leather tiles. The rest rooms are finished in natural stone and automatic leather blinds controlled from the President's desk. They are also fitted with white leather-clad walls with stainless steel panels and in-built acoustic ceiling panels.

The floor also has a boardroom finished with acoustic ceiling panels and parquet floor. A double-sided aquarium is visible from both the chief operating officer's office and the boardroom. A private reception area is designed to overlook Five Cowrie Creek finished in natural stone on both the walls and floor. There is also an executive bar and dining are/private lounge and private lift.

Designed by Bukola Bolarinde and Tope Fapohunda of F.O. Properties Limited, facilities in the complex include water treatment plant, sewage treatment building and boys/staff quarters.

The Vice President commended the Zenon group for displaying the Nigerian spirit and expressed the commitment of the Federal Government to encouraging investors by creating an enabling environment for them to thrive and improving on such infrastructure as power supply.

The President of the Zenon group, Mr. Femi Otedola noted that Zenon Place bears the symbol of the group's success, which stems from its desire to be proactive and responsive not only to the Zenon group but to the environment.

"We are committed to continue to do what we do and do it even better. The Zenon Place is envisaged to serve as both a source of pride and encouragement to every member of staff, visitor and business associate," he said.