Structure and Design is pleased to have already featured some successfully completed projects by ConDev Property Development (Pvt) Ltd. Some time back in issue 13 we covered the 100 on Montgomery project, situated on the corner of Arcturus Road and Montgomery Road in Highlands. This property comprises 27 upmarket townhouses within a secure, gated complex. In the same issue we covered the outstanding Arkenstone development within Borrowdale Brooke. Arkenstone consists of 10 exquisite, individually designed homes set into the stony hillside above the Brooke. The steeply sloping site called for some serious engineering and earthworks, but the advantage is that each home has outstanding, unobstructed views – some northward towards Domboshawa and some with east facing views towards Shamva. All the houses are largely off-grid and the complex has a sophisticated water storage and recycling system. Both projects were built in conjunction with Sarah Morgan Architect, and with Cardinal Corporation as the developers and project coordinators.
Other recently completed ConDev projects include 19-on-Kingsmead – 9 homes in a complex designed by architect Bruce Rowlands from Architexture Spatial Design, and 8 on Pevensey – 7 luxury villas designed by architect Graham Cochrane from Architectural Planning Studio. These developments have given ConDev a wealth of experience in the construction of upscale residential complexes in Harare and together with other commercial and private residential projects has propelled them to become leaders in the field. It has also allowed them to build up a group of highly experienced personnel and resources and to establish a well-deserved reputation for good cost management and adherence to budgets, and the capacity to finish projects on time without sacrificing top quality workmanship. Completed towards the end of last year 10-on-Paxford is one of their most prestigious and sort after developments. Situated on a quiet cul-de-sac off Crowhill Road and overlooking Borrowdale Brooke, the Paxford project consists of 10 spacious, light filled, modern homes, once again designed by Sarah Morgan Architect. Each home is set on around 1,300 square metres of private garden (easy to maintain) with extensive communal spaces around. The houses have been carefully set out on the gently sloping site to allow for privacy while maximizing the views and taking advantage of their north/north east orientation. The site includes undisturbed stands of indigenous Msasa-miombo forest and slopes down to small natural wetland recreational space. When setting out the houses on the site great care was taken to preserve as many of the existing trees as possible, preserving the natural ecology. The project has other ‘green’ credentials too – each house has its own solar panels and a 5kVA inverter, a 2,000 litre water storage tank, and there’s a black water recycling system for the complex which irrigates the common gardens.
The houses are designed with a very generous master bedroom, dressing room and en suite bathroom and there are an additional two smaller bedrooms each with their own bathrooms. The living room, dining room and kitchen are open plan with views out to the garden and the verandah. A mono-pitch ceiling and glass gable end allow the area to be flooded with natural light. The large verandah adjacent to the main living space lends itself perfectly to our Zimbabwean love of relaxed, outdoor living. In addition there’s a study and a large entrance hall, and there’s a separate scullery and service courtyard off the kitchen, as well as an outdoor storeroom. There’s an entrance courtyard providing privacy from the street and a two car shaded carport with an option to add an enclosed parking garage. The whole complex has excellent security being fully walled with an electric fence and a single manned entry gate, making it ideal for those who want to ‘lock up and go’.
ConDev are currently involved in a progressive ongoing development at 31-on-Edinburgh, near to Sam Levy’s Village and the new Village Walk, once again designed by Sarah Morgan in her signature style. The project was started in September 2019 and is on schedule for handover in September this year. The project was marketed through Marillier Properties and was completely sold out off-plan in a matter of weeks. The houses have three bedrooms and three bathrooms, an open plan living room, dining room and kitchen with a separate scullery, pantry and storeroom. They have an entrance courtyard and entrance hallway, as well as central courtyard and a large verandah. There’s covered parking for two vehicles utilizing a unique custom-designed solar carport, with the option for a lockup garage and a swimming pool. Each unit is fully walled for privacy and the whole complex is very secure with wall-top electric fence and perimeter security beams. In line with Morgan’s environmentally friendly ethos all the houses are totally off grid with new-generation gas geysers, gas hobs and ovens in the kitchen, and low energy water pump Apart from just building great property developments ConDev also has a robust social responsibility programme. They believe in giving newly-qualified artisans the chance to improve their skills and get on the job training under careful supervision in conjunction with Harare Polytech to attain their final trade tests. They also partner the Flying for Wildlife Conservation Trust as well as the TAG Rugby Trust which takes sport to people in the high-density suburbs and rural communities across the country. To get in touch with ConDev: Telephone- +263 772 331 935 or +263 773 820 430 Website- www.condev.info For enquiries regarding new ConDev developments contact Marillier Properties: Address: 50 Edinburgh Road, Vainona Call Charmy: on 0773 495863
text by Michael Nott
photos by Structure and Design
