shloboe boe
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
BULAWAYO’S face is changing. Architectural ingenuity is steadily making its mark on the City of Kings. For decades, Bulawayo has revelled in its iconic landmarks, from Victorian buildings and medieval architecture to some of the country’s finest craftsmanship.
Each century-old building tells a story of resilience, creativity, and the enduring spirit of its people. A visitor exploring Bulawayo’s historic sites is immersed in its rich history and cultural offerings.
However, recent years have seen the rise of immaculate and imposing structures, transforming the city that gained town status on June 1, 1894, and became a city in 1943. Bulawayo is embracing modern times, yet the nostalgia of preserving historical memories in each new or refurbished building remains.
Take, for example, the new Thee Elander Deluxe Hotel. This 50-bedroom edifice sits on a large plot in the tranquil Suburbs. Driving past, one could easily mistake it for a recreation of a Victorian building in the heart of London.
“The original building had a Victorian architectural touch, as evidenced by the large arch-like structure at the gate of the hotel and the ancient pillars that support the building. When the now-owners of the hotel saw the place, they immediately liked it and started making enquiries if it was for sale, luckily it was.
“The Elander Deluxe Hotel is an extension of the old building; we kept the old Victorian-inspired architecture intact and made additions to the existing building,” said the hotel administrator, Vimbai Shumba.
The 50-bed lodge offers services such as transport from the airport, as well as vehicles for guests to run errands in the City of Kings or go sightseeing around the many beautiful natural environments that the region has to offer, such as the Matopos National Park and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority-owned Tshabalala Sanctuary, among other places.
Across town along the Bulawayo-Gwanda Road sits another impressive structure that is changing the face of Bulawayo, called Phoenix Luxury Estate. Its imposing perimeter walls tell a story from the outside.
Gated community home complexes are becoming a growing phenomenon in the City of Kings. A gated community is a residential area that is surrounded by fences or walls, with controlled access points like gates, typically requiring residents to have special identification to enter, creating a sense of security and privacy for those living within the community boundaries. And that is exactly what the Phoenix Luxury Estate hoped to give its inhabitants.
Project owner and local businessman Gift Banda said the concept of a gated community in the City of Kings was inspired by diasporans’ hunger for upmarket homes that are secure and offer localised utility services such as their own water sources that are not dependent on city council structures.
“Construction of the Phoenix Luxury Estate project started in 2018, and the target market was people living in the diaspora who appreciate the luxury and comfort of living in a secured gated community.
“Security is a huge concern for many people who prefer living in what we call ‘lock and go’ homes, where they do not have to worry about security issues, a luxury that a gated community offers,” he said.
Further from the city centre, in Mqabuko Heights, another large gated community is under development.
Online Reporter