West Property Disrupting the Future of Zimbabwean Property Development

Zimbabwe's property market has experienced a dynamic situation in terms of demand and supply as a result of the socioeconomic environment. The need for decent housing persists and must be addressed. Zimbabweans seek security through homeownership, as well as genuine and transparent property market stakeholders. Furthermore, many foreigners and Zimbabweans in the diaspora want secure investments, and property investment remains one of the safest methods to generate wealth.?

Currently, it is a buyer’s market, and that is expected to continue into the coming years. Those who qualify for finance or who are able to buy for cash will be in a good position to take advantage of the current conditions. Traditional methods of selling or simply developing properties are not enough to convince new homeowners or investors to purchase. Zimbabwe is a promising market and offers vast investment opportunities on both the local and global frontiers. The property market needs to be disruptive and find more innovative ways to attract new clients into property investment.?

West Property Zimbabwe is leading the way with nuanced ways of selling properties. The company's vision is to become the leading customer-centric developer of exceptional properties in Zimbabwe. This comes with the understanding that it is the client who makes the vision. Meeting the ethos of live, work, shop and play, West Property's portfolio entails modern designs for high and low-rise mixed-use developments. While serving prime locations within Harare's affluent northern suburbs, the company seeks to inspire the aspirational lifestyle of Zimbabwe’s local and diaspora residents.

West Property aims to simplify and improve people’s lives with innovative, modern homes that are agile. Some of the disruptive measures used by the company include eco-friendly developments, smart homes, and flexible payment terms to acquire property. We are the first developer in Zimbabwe to offer both our cluster houses and apartments for sale as a lock-up shell with the exterior complete and the interior left to the buyer to finish to their taste and budget, which allows higher affordability and quicker turn around.?

Some of their developments in Borrowdale West, including Pokugara Residential Estate and Millennium Heights, are offering this package. The first block of apartments at Millennium Heights consists of 24 units and was completed to lock-up the stage and sold out. These units were handed over to clients who are completing their internal finishes and are ready to move into their new homes. The second block is nearly sold out while selling off-plan, and the company is now taking offers for the third block in a similar fashion to the latter. The three-bedroom townhouses in Phase One within Pokugara Residential Estate sold out with units built up to the lock-up stage. The next phase of townhouses will include three different models, which will be named "Garden" for the single-storey units, whilst the double-storey units will be named "Villa" and "Manor." The designs are modern and customer-centric, with the option of premium finishes upon completion.

Continuing to disrupt the sector, West Property is introducing leasehold options for the first time in the country. This offer comes through the Pomona City development, which is a city within a city. The gated estate is a mixed-use development that will include a shopping centre, schools, a park, a club house, a creche, and churches. The stands are in four categories and phases, with 140 stands in Phase 1A and about 595 stands in Phases 1B and C. These stands are on a freehold basis with title deeds. Phase 1A sold out with some stands back on the market for resale and included stands of an average of 1,400 sqm, up to over 3,000 sqm. Phase 1B and C include smaller, medium-to-lower density stands with sizes ranging from 450 sqm to 1,000 sqm.

The vision is a city within a city that includes technology that caters to the commercial and lifestyle needs of its residents. The future educational institutions at Pomona City shall also provide education from pre-primary to tertiary level. The shopping malls will offer a variety of facilities such as restaurants and food courts, bowling, cinemas, kids playgrounds and game rooms, trendy shops and supermarkets. In addition, medical facilities will be available within the estate.

In terms of "smart homes," developments such as Millennium Heights are leveraging connectivity and renewable energy. With the current offers on the second and third blocks, LP gas connection, fibre internet, and solar power are some of the "smart initiatives." Pomona City, coined the "City within a City," is a grander development that promises to provide residents with convenient access to services. The city within a city will also include smart lighting, smart traffic, renewable energy, and improved connectivity, according to the big picture. As developments continue with Pokugara Residential Estate, the realization of what a "smart city" looks like within a world-class residential estate is achievable. West Property developments are environmentally conscious in addition to being technologically savvy. In the near future, the developments will include recreational parks with a lake, trees, manicured gardens, and a natural environment sanctuary. Furthermore, staff tree planting activities will be ongoing in order to contribute to higher quality air, soil, and water conservation. Pomona City is a landmark development that serves as a model for how green cities could be built from the ground up.

"Good buildings come from excellent people," says Stephen Gardiner, "and good design solves all issues." West Property's customer-centric mission has fostered relationships with clients in order to create communities that fulfil their lifestyle needs. The vision is to establish sustainable homeownership that benefits Zimbabweans and leaves a legacy for future generations, not only to deliver exceptional properties.

Take a view of the team behind the scenes in the video below: