Nairobi, Aug. 25 -- A while back, few imagined Upper Hill, Kilimani, Kileleshwa and Westlands would become home to clusters of high-rise apartments.

Equally unexpected was the dramatic transformation of leafy suburbs such as Lavington and Karen, where changing planning standards, population pressure, improved infrastructure and new construction technologies have reshaped neighbourhood skylines. These shifts have also changed what buyers and tenants expect from developers.

The developers most likely to succeed are those who anticipate changing lifestyles rather than simply build houses. Understanding the needs of young professionals, entrepreneurs and a growing international clientele is now a competitive advantage.

Some preferences rem...