adminUS$100 million, is a joint venture between construction giants Augur Investments, McCormick Property Development and West Properties.
Augur Investments chairman Mr Ken Sharpe said in an interview the Environmental Management Agency had since cleared the project.
“EMA has approved the environmental impact assessment.
“Construction work now awaits plan approval from the city council which we are hopeful will be in a month’s time,” he said.
Mr Sharpe said all other logistics were in place and work would begin as soon as the project plan has been approved.
When complete, the mall is set to become the biggest shopping centre in Africa outside of South Africa as well as being among the biggest property investments in Zimbabwe.
Mr Sharpe said the project would be completed within the stated 18 months period.
“We could have started the construction already, but some processes have been delaying the beginning of the work.”
He said completing the project would not take more than two years as all logistics were in place.
The complex will have 68 000 square metres of floor space to be taken up by local and foreign retailers, including Pick ‘n Pay, Game, Forchin, Spar, Shoprite, Mr Price, Woolworths and Truworths.
The mall will accommodate more than 150 shops, have space for restaurants, fast-food drive-through courts and recreational facilities.
Over 4 000 jobs are expected to be created from the construction stage to commissioning of the multimillion-dollar complex. – New Ziana.
Online Reporter