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Ghana Report
Marcopolis presents the Ghana Report focused on investments, doing business, economy and other topics featuring interviews with key executives and government officials. The sectors under review are agriculture, banking, energy, industry, telecom, IT, real estate and more.
InterviewsNovember 15, 2022
Sustainable Real Estate Projects in Gomoa Fetteh: Kojo Boadi-Aboagye Presents Eleven Eleven and Four Four Four
Kojo Boadi-Aboagye, Director of Eleven Eleven and Four Four Four
- Written by Sandra Francisco
- Published: November 15, 2022
Interview with Kojo Boadi-Aboagye, Director of Eleven Eleven and Four Four Four
Could you give us a background of Eleven Eleven and Four Four Four Developments?
My background is in architecture and I am trained as an architect. I have had my own architecture firm, Infinite Group, for many years, but I always knew architecture was not going to be the end of me. I knew it was merely a tool. I worked with a bunch of other developers in the process of my career, and I realized that I could do what is now being done. But most importantly, I had the tools to actually get to the next level. I was able to create the vision and create the master plan behind what that vision could look like. The name Eleven Eleven and Four Four Four stems from something called angel numbers. These angel numbers are when you get to wake up and pursue something that is bigger than what you thought your ultimate goal was. I named the project Eleven Eleven and Four Four Four as a reemergence from my architectural side to get to the development side.
Does it mean that Eleven Eleven and Four Four Four are different entities?
Eleven Eleven and Four Four Four are separate entities. If you know anything about angel numbers, as you go through the process of growth through yourself and your spirituality, and finding your own pace, you grow as a person. So Eleven Eleven was basically the emergence and then Four Four Four was almost gearing you on to keep going in the path that you are supposed to go. As we started, Eleven Eleven and Four Four Four were the next projects that I wanted to do. I knew I was in the right direction. That is why they are still very connected, but yet they are just chapters of each other, just like chapters in a book. And as we keep going, we will keep reemerging ourselves and growing with these projects.
What makes these projects stand out? What is your unique selling proposition?
Most developers in Ghana do not offer what I can offer. I was blessed to have an architectural background and be trained as an architect. I am able to see the project from growing in the mind to coming out into full fruition. The other thing that is essential is the notion of seeing the project through construction and making sure that the details are all established and everything is actually built according to what you say you are going to build. Finally, I also saw these as legacy projects because I am held to a certain standard of developing because I am an architect. I am held to a whole different standard of building than any other developer would be, and I put that on myself, and that is one of the things that stands out about my vision. I have partners who are well intertwined in this and everyone comes with a certain set of expertise. My primary business partner’s background is actuarial science, and he runs the numbers. He sees numbers like I see design and concepts, and we actually are a perfect match. We have another partner who is of an MEP company, and so he brings his expertise on the services side. So that sets us a whole bar apart from everyone else, and it positions us to actually create something that everyone is going to be proud of.
In terms of infrastructure, where do you see the real estate sector go to?
Most developers in Ghana, including myself, failed at developing, because we just built the buildings first before we built the infrastructure. It should be the other way around. We should put the infrastructure in place and then build the buildings. That is how you create planned cities and planned communities. But the notion of real estate is actually climbing to a whole different level here. I am proud to be associated with some of the projects that are coming up. So the real estate market itself is actually growing. There are so many developers out there who put some great projects out. But we have to do more in terms of interior finishing. Most real estate agents just put buildings up and do not really finish the interiors or spend a lot of time on that. As much as we are doing great design on the facade, we need to spend some time on the interior finishing as well, and also pay more attention to the infrastructure when we build these developments: we need to fix the roads, we need to fix the storm waters, we need to have alternative energy that powers these developments, etc.
Tell us more about Eleven Eleven and Four Four Four.
Eleven Eleven is essentially an exclusive beachfront resort in Gomoa Fetteh. It is one of the best beaches in Ghana and the Coast of West Africa. It sits on four acres and comprises of 54 units. We have nine ocean front villas, three penthouses that range from three to four bedrooms, and then we have 39 single occupancy rooms. As part of the development, we also have a lobby, a 300 seat banquet center, a restaurant and a spa area. Essentially, if you are part of Eleven Eleven, you get to enjoy all these amenities.
On the other hand, Four Four Four is a luxury housing complex that comprises of 18 single occupancy units spread over eight acres. It is well done and exclusive for 18 very lucky clients.
Those projects are pieces of the bigger puzzle. I have recently acquired about 300 acres of land on the ocean, along with a few partners. It stretches about two miles, and we want to build a sort of small city, like a small community or small neighborhood that is sustainable, with all the infrastructure in place. It will also be a mixed-use development where you will have schools, clinics, grocery stores, green spaces, parks, security on site, etc. We want to create a model city that can be replicated across Ghana and West Africa as a whole. Now is the time to do it. I think it is time to actually plan cities out very well, and not just build homes.
What is the bigger picture for the new project?
As I mentioned earlier, the plan is to build a sustainable community. There are essential design principles that you have to go by. First of all, it has to feel safe. Secondly, there has to be some pillars in the community, like a grocery store, or a place where people can get essentials, such as a clinic, daycare or some kind of school, as well as a place for lifestyle, entertainment and outdoors. But the main thing about this development is that it is going to be anchored with a park in the middle of the community, a green space where people can congregate. This central park will be tied into bike paths and walks that will run across that two mile stretch of ocean, go around the lagoon and then intertwine within the whole development. So not only do we want to build the buildings, we want to build the infrastructure, the parks, the paths, etc. The idea is that when you come in there, you do not want to leave. You want to come and stay, get all your essentials, and if you have to go to Accra and hang out for the weekend, you can do so. Gomoa Fetteh has an efficient marina. We plan on using that for people who want to go from Accra to our site. Besides, I was on site with a friend of mine who is a pilot and has a helicopter license, and we are in talks to also have a small helipad that can shuttle people to and from Accra. It is only a five minute helicopter ride, so if you wanted to go to Accra and do some business, you could shuttle there in five minutes and then have a rental car waiting for you.
When do you envisage to complete the entire project?
We have a seven-year timeline to get the whole project done. Eleven Eleven is already under construction and Four Four Four starts construction at the end of November. As for the master plan, we are going to start the site clearing and all the infrastructure hopefully by first quarter of next year. So in seven years, you should have the project on the map and people saying this is the real community to be at.
Is there anything else you would like to highlight?
The key for me is to enact change. There is no agenda behind it, but just to help people.
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