adminHarare’s hopes of becoming a world-class city by 2025 could well be on course, judging by the number of high-profile investments coming to the capital and the proposed expansion of the Central Business District.
The subsequent investor confidence in the capital is also a big boon for Zimbabwe.
Top on the list of mega buck investments that will certainly change the face of the city are the proposed construction of the US$160 million Hilton Hotel, a residential and office complex along Samora Machel Avenue in Eastlea and the building of the US$70 million Mall of Zimbabwe in Borrowdale West.
Another shopping mall is also slated for Newlands on the land bounded by Samora Machel Avenue, and Enterprise Road and Glenara Avenue where work has already begun with CBZ Bank expected to be the first big corporate to build a modern banking hall in a 10-storey complex.
Hilton Worldwide, the developers of the proposed five-star Hilton Hotel in Harare, have committed to the development.
“Hilton Worldwide is committed to expanding in Africa and we have a long-term goal of establishing a presence in key cities across the continent. We identified Zimbabwe, and its capital Harare as a valuable addition to our portfolio and we are currently in discussions with partner companies to develop a hotel in the city,” said Lasse Ristolainen, the hotel group’s development director for sub-Saharan Africa, in response to inquiries following reports of the Harare development.
The development, which has been touted as the Melrose Arch of Zimbabwe because of its similarity in terms of size and beauty to the one in Johannesburg, South Africa, comes with a 12-storey, 275-bed hotel, three office complexes and residential apartments.
At its last full council meeting last week, Harare City approved a decision to negotiate termination of lease agreements with operators using part of the land designated for the massive structure.
Outgoing Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda said negotiations had already begun with a church leasing part of the land.
Urban planner Mr Percy Toriro agrees that Harare is destined for better times.
“Harare is certainly destined for a major facelift that will change both its aesthetic outlook and convenience to the public.
“Hilton is a premier international brand that sets new standards in Harare’s hospitality sector. For a long time now the discerning visitors have indicated the emerging gap in high-end hotels and this should address that,” he said.
Mr Toriro said the Mall of Zimbabwe was rated the second such massive structure on the continent.
He said the advantage was to high-end shoppers who travel to South Africa and other world destinations to buy trendy clothing items and household gadgets.
Mr Toriro said besides creating employment the developments would stimulate economic growth.
The malls would add to existing ones at Westgate, High Glen, Sam Levy’s and Avondale, among smaller suburban malls.
Mr Toriro said Harare requires more malls in the mould of Westgate which are designed to meet laid-back shopping experiences without the hustle and bustle characteristic of the CBD.
“With the mining sector boom, supported by agriculture and manufacturing revival, Harare is poised for massive growth and we should be seized with planning for supporting infrastructure,” he said.
Managing director of West Property Mr Michael van Blerk, the developers of the Mall of Zimbabwe, said construction begins in early November.
“The project will take two years to complete,” he said.
Harare Town Clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi expressed his excitement over the developments. He was part of the team that negotiated with the investors.
“As a city we are very excited that such a brand (Hilton Hotel) is coming to Zimbabwe. We will do all we can to ensure that the project is a success,” said Dr Mahachi.
Dr Mahachi said it was the duty of the local authority to promote investors by according them concessionary prices when they buy land for such huge projects that not only create employment but raise the profile of the city and country.
“The hotel comes with a conference centre with capacity to carry up to 600 delegates, basement car park with capacity to hold 1000 vehicles, retail shops, three office blocks, eateries and residential apartments. The idea is to make it a destination to be,” he said.
Experts have argued that the existing shopping malls and hotels in Harare were failing to meet the standards of the affluent spenders.
Big developments that include sprouting housing estates on Glaudina Estate, Gletwyn, Manresa, Southlea Park, Tynwald, Waterfalls, Charlotte Brooke and Whitecliff add to the growing city.
The proposed expansion of the CBD to include the surrounding suburbs of Eastlea, Braeside, Hillside, Milton Park, the Avenues, Arcadia, parts of Belvedere and Ridgeview is also a sign of the good times ahead.
The expansion means commercial business activities can now be done on a much bigger land area.
However, the success or failure of the majority of the projects will depend on the future Harare City Council. Councillors have in the past stalled development projects because of suspicion that some big political names were behind the projects.
Online Reporter