POKUGARA is a Shona word which roughly translates to ‘accommodation’ or ‘safe haven’. Development at Pokugara Residential Estate is moving forward rapidly. The site has been surveyed and individual stands – varying in size from around 2000sqm for the stand alone townhouses to around 500sqm for the cluster houses – have been apportioned. Access roads have been built and over 52 stands are now fully serviced with connections to water, electricity and municipal sewerage in place and title deeds are available. The imposing gated entrance to the estate has been constructed and is fully operational and a number of the townhouse stands have been built on and are currently occupied by the owners.
The housing development at Pokugara is basically made up of about 60 stands around the perimeter for townhouses with space set aside for smaller, higher density cluster homes in the middle. A small proportion of the site has been reserved for open space for recreation and environmental protection. A number of other developers have taken up the opportunity to build in the area including Cardinal Corporation who are planning an office complex along Whitwell Road.
Future plans by developers, West Properties, include Millennium Heights – a project involving the construction of apartment blocks – and the Mall of Zimbabwe.
West Property seeks to be a disruptor in the property market by offering the client innovative, green design, value-added properties that speak to the needs of every lifestyle. Sustainable development in the property development sector is of paramount importance as it saves the national fiscus, fulfils the needs of the people, and conserves natural resources for future generations. It is possible to reduce carbon emissions while providing clean and affordable energy for all — including through energy efficient construction, use of renewable energy and energy efficient electrical appliances. We have transformed our settlement patterns to keep pace with global town planning standards and impact on the environment such as through “smart” infrastructure, decent ecologically sensitive housing and high connectivity smart cities and communities. It is the ethos of West Property Zimbabwe to protect the environment and be a responsible sustainable developer thus Pokugara Residential Estate will be an eco-city using the latest green technology and innovations to minimise the impact on the Planet and change people’s lives. We have plans towards sustainable and renewable resources for the homes to run on solar and gas and are also going to have a botanic garden as part of environmental management to preserve and maintain the bird life and introduce indigenous vegetation.
There are various options available for potential homeowners at Pokugara. There are the larger residential stands set around the perimeter of the site for townhouses. Architect Irene Masiyanise has designed a double storey four bedroom show house of 325sqm just near the entrance gate so prospective homeowners can get idea of the possibilities for development. These plans, which already have council approval, are available. Around 40 of the larger stands have already been sold. Homeowners are welcome to have their own plans drawn up by an independent architect and to submit their drawings to the body corporate. The governing body seeks to ensure that houses on the estate all comply with a similar aesthetic with tiled gabled roofs over brick structures.
The overriding idea is to create an identity and a personality which encompasses all the buildings on the estate in order to maintain their high standards and for new structures to fit in to the general character of the project. The central portion of the Pokugara development has been reserved for cluster homes. These housing units measure from 166 sqm to 226 sqm and are currently available at lock up stage which includes the structure and basic fittings – the shell – which allows prospective owners to put their own stamp on the property with their individual choices of floor tiles, bathroom and kitchen fittings, lighting and other accessories. The design includes an open plan layout kitchen, dining room and lounge, three bedrooms with the master en suite and a shared bathroom, sta patio, a courtyard and parking space. The modern, elegant plans for the cluster houses were also drawn up by Irene Masiyanise from Masiyanise T.I. Architect and have been approved by the Council. Currently the townhouses are being constructed on a ‘build as we go’ scheme so new units are built as the existing ones are sold and as demand requires. Phase 1 of the estate has been completed and Phase 2 is well underway with services to be provided to an additional 23 stands. As for the townhouses, Phase 1 there are currently 21 cluster units on offer – 12 units have been built and 10 have already been sold.
The cluster houses will have a solar backup system as well as a piped bulk LPG gas supply from a central source, ensuring that residents never run out of gas at inconvenient times. City of Harare water is connected; however borehole water will be available.
As available land close to the City Centre becomes more in demand Pokugara Residential Estate will likely be the last large scale housing development near the CBD. The location is ideal with a number of facilities close by, including easy access to:
SAM LEVY’S VILLAGE AND VILLAGE WALK
For Shopping And Entertainment
ARUNDEL SHOPPING CENTRE (And Restaurants)
THE BRIDGE SHOPS ON THE CHASE
Up market private schools in the area including;
ST GEORGE’S
ST JOHN’S
ST MICHAEL’S
HELLENICS
HARARE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Medical facilities including;
DANDARO MEDICAL HOSPITAL
BORROWDALE TRAUMA CENTRE
THE FRENCH SCHOOL
BORROWDALE RACE COURSE
There’s also easy access to the CBD and the airport. The location, the plans and development make it a desirable venue and an exciting investment opportunity for both locals and people from the diaspora. The cluster houses are very affordable and there are number of payment options available so it’s an attractive opportunity for middle income families to get a foot on the property ladder.
At the official entrance gate launch ceremony and handover recently, the company’s operations manager Mrs Tatiana Aleshina said owning a home was a keystone of wealth, both financial affluence and emotional security.
The gated community offers excellent security for residents and their families and the benefits of ‘lock up and go’ convenience for travellers. The community is envisaged to have a ‘village’ feel about it where residents know their neighbours, interact with them and everyone looks out for each other.
To find out more information please contact the sales team:-
Landline: +263 (242) 794841/2
Marilyn: 0714 022 996
Alice: 0782 762 986
Tendai: 0772 239 339
Email: sales@westpropertyzim.com
text & photos by Structure and Design
