Online Reporter
Michael Tome–Business Reporter
LISTED property developer WestProp Holdings has stepped up its investment drive with the groundbreaking of its 5 000-hectare Chivhu EcoCity, a large-scale mixed-use development expected to deliver 20 000 homes and accommodate up to 80 000 residents.
The project, which represents one of the company’s largest development initiatives, is expected to transform Chivhu into a major residential and investment hub while creating opportunities across the property, construction, commercial, industrial and agro-development sectors.
The groundbreaking ceremony yesterday marked the commencement of civil works for Founders Estate, the first phase of the development comprising about 600 residential stands.
WestProp chief executive officer Mr Ken Sharpe said the company was positioning the project as Zimbabwe’s first green city, with sustainability forming a central component of its development model.
“We are building the first eco-city, the first green city in the whole country. We are very proud as WestProp to be leading the way,” Sharpe said.
The company plans to construct at least 20 schools within the development, alongside residential and commercial infrastructure.
Sharpe said demand for the initial phase had been strong, with Founders Estate already completely sold out.
“The initial phase is completely sold out. Those people who bought in did very well,” he said, adding that property prices were scheduled to increase from October 1.
The sell-out provides an early indication of demand for serviced residential property within the planned development and gives WestProp a platform to progressively unlock subsequent phases of the project.
Beyond housing, the developer plans to establish a game reserve within the development and develop existing water bodies and other natural features as part of an ecotourism offering.
WestProp projects manager Mr Mandla Ndebele said the immediate focus would be on unlocking the site through the installation of critical infrastructure, including roads, water and sewer networks.
“We are here to break ground on the civil works that will be backing up that development in terms of the basic infrastructure — the roads, water and sewer networks,” Ndebele said.
He said the scale of the project would provide a significant impetus to investment and economic activity in Chivhu.
The development is structured as a mixed-use city incorporating residential, commercial, industrial and agro-development components, creating multiple potential revenue streams as different phases are rolled out.
Mr Ndebele said the sustainability-led model was intended to broaden the economic value of the development beyond conventional residential property.
“This is an eco-city. Its premise is based on sustainability. We are looking at developing the weirs and water bodies that are here into something that is going to be of much interest for ecotourism,” he said.
The project is expected to stimulate demand for construction materials, contractors, transport, financial services and other ancillary businesses, while the eventual commercial and industrial components could support new business activity in Chivhu.
Chikomba Rural District Council district planner Mr Shadreck Maoneni said the development would significantly elevate Chivhu’s investment profile.
“This development will put Chivhu on the pedestal, as this development will be top notch and a first of its kind,” Mr Maoneni said.
For WestProp, the project provides an opportunity to expand its property portfolio through a large-scale development model while monetising land through successive residential, commercial and other development phases.
The commencement of infrastructure works also moves the project from planning and land development into a more tangible execution phase, potentially strengthening investor visibility around the company’s development pipeline.
With 20 000 homes planned, the project represents a substantial long-term property development opportunity and could reshape the residential and commercial landscape of Chivhu as infrastructure and supporting amenities are progressively delivered.
