ASPIRE HEIGHTS AND PROPERTY DEVELOPERS OXFORD PROPERTIES ARE ON A ROLL. WITHIN A YEAR OF COMMISSIONING THEIR FIRST BLOCK OF LUXURY APARTMENTS, (FEATURED IN STRUCTURE AND DESIGN ISSUE 45) THEY HAVE PUT THEIR SECOND BLOCK OF APARTMENTS ON THE MARKET. BASED ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE TWO APARTMENT BLOCKS AND THE FACT THAT THEY ARE ADJACENT YOU WOULD THINK THE LATEST PROJECT IS JUST A REPLICA OF THE FIRST ONE UNTIL YOU HAVE TAKEN A TOUR OF THE INTERIORS. THE DIFFERENCE IS IN THE FEW ADDITIONAL FEATURES INCORPORATED INSIDE.

The long-awaited unveiling of the apartment building took place on the 31st of July 2022 after months of social media hyping from the Aspire Heights digital communications team. Potential buyers were popping in to check out the expertly decorated show flflat which is outstanding. Aspire Heights’ media partner for the big unveiling was Star FM who broadcast the proceedings live right on the premises.

The asking price on these luxurious lock-up-and-go apartments is rather modest as on select units the buyers are given the option to settle their balances monthly for the next two years once having paid the deposit. This is a very affffordable option considering that international standards. What is more, Aspire Heights runs numerous competitions on their social media platforms aimed at affffording everyone the chance of experiencing the indulgent lifestyle on tap at Aspire Heights with some getting a 40% discount on the down payment!

For the ground flfloor units, the deposit is US$20000. You can literally be handed the keys to your apartment after paying this amount. Depending on the type of flflat you would want to acquire (A or B) you could then pay the remaining amount in monthly instalments of US$4300 or US$4175 for a year. The upper-level units are slightly cheaper and instalments can be paid each month for two years!

You can be part of the Aspindale community if you drop a US$18600 deposit with the balance being paid in instalments of US$2150 for the next two years. But if you just want to get it over and done with and become the proud owner of a brand-new apartment, it could be yours for only US$60000. the apartments are on a piece of land that is fully serviced, close to the CBD, scarcely experiences power outages, has uninterrupted water supply, a concierge system and more. This, as good as it sounds, is in no way more exciting than the developments on the way which include two fuel stations, fast food restaurants and a school of

Oxford Properties lead project manager Craig Foxcroft says that on this particular project the overarching goal was to come up with something that was in more ways than one better than the fifirst one he oversaw in terms of added extras. With a clear idea of what they wanted to do difffferently this time around on the second project, and with a team of seasoned of subcontractors, the project was completed earlier that anticipated and surprisingly without compromising on the quality they have come to be known for. The new block of apartments is great from both an aesthetic and functional perspective. Taking cues from the fifirst apartment block which is adjacent, the façade of the new apartment is again exposed brick work which has of late become the style of choice for a lot of designers when it comes to the exterior. This provides a sharp yet in-good-taste contrast to the whites and dark greys used on some parts of the exterior.

The apartments are on four flfloors including the ground flfloor. Big solid wood doors open inwards revealing a kitchen complete with Defy home appliances and custom fifitted cupboards. The kitchen comes with an electric/gas cooking stove with an oven, a microwave, extractor hood, refrigerator and a washer dryer combo unit. Connected to the kitchen is the lounge area which has facilities such as a DStv connection and high-speed fifibre internet infrastructure already installed. Residents are spoilt for choice with gas or electricity for cooking or heating.

Each apartment contains two bedrooms which are inviting and warm plus they come with fifitted wardrobes. The window panes are supported by dark grey aluminium frames and they go almost all the way to ceiling so natural light streams in. The understated colour palette extends to the bathroom and toilet which has been made grander by fifitting in a good-sized soaking tub inside the shower cubicles. Views of a neatly manicured garden can be taken in from the bedroom windows which can be very relaxing. Aspire Heights is always planting trees in the yard so in a few years the view will be splendid.

A couple of features and innovations can only be found in this latest block of apartments, for instance, the non-slip tiles, the bath tubs, the silicon seal under the cupboards and the expansion joints on the tiles. The non-slip tiles which can be found on the stairs and other common areas are easy to clean and maintain plus just like their name suggests they provide safety for the occupants especially in the rainy season.

To prevent the possibility of rot, the bottom part of all the kitchen cabinets and wardrobes have been sealed with silicone making sure neither dirt nor moisture permeates either when sweeping or mopping the flfloors. Also, the expansion joints on the tiling means that cracks are not going to appear on the flflooring any time soon. The advantages of living in the Aspindale Park Community are countless. Living within Aspindale Park, you will scarcely hear of electricity outages as the community is flflanked by some of the biggest food processing factories in Zimbabwe which share the same power line with Aspindale Park. Luckily, in those rare cases of power outage, there is the provision of an optional built-in inverter facility. Although Harare City Council water isavailable, to avoid unforeseen dry spells there is constant borehole water supply. A nonmetered tap is also outside in case someone wants to wash their car. Plans to install a solar system specififically for the reticulation system and borehole are also in the pipeline.

Those who prioritise their safety over everything else will be glad to know that Aspindale Park is securely walled and gated and enjoys 24/7 security. Moreover, the modest structure that is immediately behind the fifirst block of apartments, which is for the time being used as a reception and offiffiffice space, will soon be adapted to house the caretaker and their family to make sure there is someone tending to the properties at all times.

Each resident has their own designated parking spot. The parking system has been designed in such a way that everyone walks the same distance from their apartment to their car and vice versa. Those occupying apartments on the fifirst flfloor have their parking spaces a little farther down the line while upper flfloor dwellers’ spots are more conveniently accessed.

Every single detail and element of this block of apartments has been well considered. For more information about these luxurious and affffordable apartments:

Call: 08080488 Website: www.aspireheights.co.zw Facebook: @AspireHeights

text by Farai Chaka

photos by Structure & Design