Glimpses of first solar-powered estates in Port Harcourt

…Developer eyes affordability with luxury in one bouquet

Port Harcourt with the outlining Niger Delta areas is soaked in oil and gas but power supply seems to be its biggest headache. This seems to have made living standards and housing a nightmare.

Now, an estate to be devoid of power supply nightmares seems to be in the offing, thus ready to open a new chapter in sustainable real estate. This follows the unveiling of ‘Brooks Haven’, the Garden City’s first solar-powered residential estate, promising not only a smarter way to live but also a new vision for urban development in Rivers State.

Spearheaded by Living Architecture Limited, the project is a joint venture with the landowner. It offers a mix of luxury flats and terraces fully powered by solar energy.

With 17 residential units ranging from two-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom duplexes, Brooks Haven aims to reduce the financial burden of diesel consumption and inconsistent power supply, a struggle many Nigerian families face daily. Some modern apartments in Port Harcourt devote an average of N30,000 per day to power their homes, making a whopping sum of N900,000 per month.

At the unveiling ceremony, Chizi Wigodo, a lawyer and Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director of Living Architecture Limited, described the project as a testament to visionary thinking and practical faith.

“The word became flesh, but for me the word is not just flesh, the word is real, I can see t, I can feel it, and I can touch it”.

According to him, Brooks Haven was named after a personal inspiration from a portion of the scripture symbolising prosperity, sustainability, and spiritual grounding.

Beyond its religious undertones, the estate is built with critical infrastructure such as underground parking, permanent solar power supply, a generating set backup system, a gym, swimming pools, and top-tier security.

Chizi noted that many Port Harcourt residents often seek individual land ownership, but Brooks Haven is challenging that narrative by showcasing the benefits of modern communal living.

Trying to prove that Port Harcourt can do it:

Chizi went on: “The word became flesh, but for me the word is not just flesh, the word is real, I can see it. I can touch it. My job here is just to unveil the product and do a presentation, Living Architecture Limited is a real estate servicing company and we are into facility management, legal advisory. So legal advisory has to be in it, but we try to tailor it down to property legal advisory. And we’ve been in business for just five years. So, we have solar properties in Lagos, we have some in Abuja and this is will be our third and in Port Harcourt.

“We are actually bringing what we call life to Port Harcourt. At the long run, many ask why solar. As an Ikwerre man, we know how to manage space in design and construction.

So, we are trying to change the narrative that in Port Harcourt we can have something that is really valuable, something that is good, that you can actually buy with your money and be happy and even pass to be the next generation.”

Wendy Wigodo, Executive Director of the company, underscored the economic wisdom behind the project.

“The cost of living wants kill the living; this solar-powered estate is designed to reduce stress on diesel and electricity bills. It’s not just about building homes, but about creating lasting value.”

She announced a five percent discount and flexible payment plans for early buyers, describing the homes as reward for owner’s hard work.

Fola Oderinde, an engineer and facility management expert, affirmed that the project was engineered for durability and efficiency. “Every naira put into this investment will be felt in real value,” he said as he praised the quality of the design, workforce, and materials being deployed.

For Greg Ogbeifun, who partnered in the joint venture, the project represents more than bricks and mortar. “This is how you unlock dead capital,” he remarked, urging others to emulate the model which turns under-utilised land into thriving economic spaces.

Chris Ugoh, a pastor, commended the visionaries for involving faith in their work. “There’s blessing in building, but even greater blessing in building with God in it”.

He also lauded the estate’s facility management plan, which he said ensured that maintenance standards would not fall apart after occupation.

With the housing deficit in Nigeria estimated at between 24 and 28 million units, developments like Brooks Haven may not solve the crisis overnight, but they offer a sustainable model for future urban living especially in a region where power reliability and infrastructure gaps are a major concern.

For Innocent Wigodo, father of Chizi, the moment was more than business, it was deeply personal.

“Massive. It’s massive. An eye opener, a dream. This is a gigantic project. If you were here during the groundbreaking, you would know this is more than a structure, it’s a legacy,” he said, beaming with satisfaction and pride.

The estate is scheduled for completion within 18 months.