The opulence of Crown Court Estate

Standing on three hectares of land, the estate with 106 housing units was constructed by Crown Realities Plc, an estate developer that has made its impact felt in real estate in Lagos. This estate which is the developer’s first in FCT has indeed come with class and grandeur.Visitors to the estate always pass positive comments. […]

Standing on three hectares of land, the estate with 106 housing units was constructed by Crown Realities Plc, an estate developer that has made its impact felt in real estate in Lagos. This estate which is the developer’s first in FCT has indeed come with class and grandeur.
Visitors to the estate always pass positive comments. “It’s in fact what a home should  look like,” said  Mrs Easther Roland who lives in the neigbourhood.
The estate is made up of detached and semi-detached houses as well as luxury condominiums with first class finishings and facilities.
Inside the estate are well tarred streets with street light and flowers presenting an exotic view. The estate is however not for the low-income earners — it is exclusively for those at the high earning levels.
Daily Trust gathered that the location of the estate which is close to federal ministries like Works, Lands and Housing  and Environment makes it a favourite for top government officials, diplomats, big business people and  contractors,  among others.
Facility Manager  of the estate Idris Adamu said that the estate has industrial boreholes with elaborate independent  water treatment and power supply comprising 3 No 650KVA and NR80 KVA synchronized generating sets to ensure 24-hour water and electricity supplies.
He said, “Aside from this, the estate has a club house,  swimming  and gymnasium, estate minimart for everyday needs, laundry and playground for children, high grade civil works concealed underground drains, walkways  paved roads and an extensive security network.”
Idris disclosed that about 200 people live presently in the estate, adding that with more houses to be sold, the population will probably increase to 500.
Speaking on the challenges he faces as manager of such a high class estate, he said the level of sophistication of people living in the estate is a challenge.
“A block of flat pays a fee of N400,000 annually so we maintain the gardens, lawns and cleaners are always on ground to take care of waste bins and keep the environment clean,” he explained.
 Another striking thing about the estate is its serenity and environmental friendly neighbourhood with elaborate landscaping. Exotic cars are neatly parked which bespeaks of the nature of people living there.
The estate was commissioned in November 2012 by erstwhile Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Ms Amal Peple. Pepple commended the developer during the commissioning ceremony for a job well done, saying it has all it takes to be a first class estate.
 However a resident, Musiliu Ibrahim said many FCT residents are not in need of exquisite estates like the Crown Court. He said, “When will government stop deceiving Nigerians about houses especially the low income earners. They talk of swimming pool here. With this, the cost of such houses can never be affordable even for level 16 officers who are not helping themselves with illegal public funds. I remember FESTAC Town when government of those days made provision for all grades of Nigerians: the rich, the not so rich and the not rich at all. That is making houses available for all. Let the present government know that Nigeria is not for the rich alone.”
The Managing Director, Crown Realties, Mr Darl Uzu said the estate is his company’s way of registering its presence in the property market in the FCT and tackling housing shortage in the country.
“The estate is safe for residents as the company has gone an extra mile. Presently, securing lives and property has become a major problem in most urban centres in the world. There are also fire hydrants and extinguishers in strategic locations within the estate in addition to a telephone exchange that is connected to every apartment with Internet facilities, as well as pre-installed DSTV connections.”
Uzu explained that the company opted for pre-installed air conditioners in all the apartments so that the beauty of the estate would not be affected by individual installations of air conditioning units.
The chairman of Crown Realities, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba said their developments are always futuristic, and the company has taken its standard a notch higher in the development of the estate.