Homelux Properties is a diverse group of companies made up of Homelux Real Estate, Homelux Property Development, Semble-IT Kitchens (now trading as Design Café) and Just Tiles and Bathrooms. Their range of companies covers just about every aspect of property sales and rentals, property development and interior design for both renovations and new build projects. The wholly Zimbabwean owned group was founded in 1998 by local businessman and entrepreneur Justin Machibaya and has rapidly grown to become the leaders in all aspects of the property and real estate business in the country.
Homelux Real Estate specialises in all aspects of buying and selling properties, rentals, valuations of land, buildings and assets, and property management for both residential and commercial buildings. They always have a wide range of properties on their books from modest high density houses to top of the range, luxurious family homes, flats and apartments, land and commercial buildings.
Design Café is mostly focused on the design and installation of kitchens whether for existing homes that need renovating and updating or for new builds.
Just Tiles and Bathrooms are retailers of specialist tiles and bathroom fittings. So Homelux has the two most important rooms in your home covered – the kitchen and the bathroom. These are the two rooms that are the most difficult and challenging for home owners to deal with without professional guidance.
Homelux Property Development is involved in the construction and renovation of one off residential projects, cluster homes and apartments as well as commercial and industrial projects. Just a few of their recently completed projects include 20 cluster houses at The Oxford Place, 11 cluster houses at Windsor Manors and 16 garden flats at Victoria Mews – all in Newlands. They have also completed cluster house complexes in Borrowdale, Greendale North, Highlands and Groombridge.
Structure and Design recently featured Homelux’s successful development of 30 two and three bedroom apartments at 58 Marlborough Drive, just off Harare Drive. (See S&D issue 32.) Although they have a number of on-going projects in this issue we’ll be looking at two of their best current developments which are still under construction – 12 Knightsbridge Road in Newlands and 52 Ascot Road in Avondale.
12 Knightsbridge Road consists of 20 upmarket units arranged over seven blocks within the fully walled and gated site. There are single storey blocks of two semi-detached units as well double storey blocks of 4 units. There are four different interior layouts to choose from with both 2 and 3 bedroom units available. All the apartments have two bathrooms – a family bathroom and an en suite for the master bedroom. The master en suite has a modern shower while the family bathroom has both a shower and a tub – useful for the kids’ bath time.
The ground floor units have small (manageable) private gardens with a barbeque area (Zimbabweans do love their braais!) while the upstairs units have generous private balconies. The double storey blocks have separate apartments on each floor – they’re not duplex apartments.
The units have an open plan kitchen, dining room and lounge layout with outdoor space created by a patio or balcony.
All the units will have beautiful, practical kitchens, deigned in house by Design Café, with the top cabinets in white, the lower cabinets in darker grey, black granite counter tops and grey tiled splashbacks. The kitchens have fitted ovens, both gas and electric hobs and extractor hoods. They’re designed in neutral colours so they’ll suit any interior décor scheme of the residents’ choice.
Each unit has parking space for two vehicles within the secure complex.
The complex was designed by the South African architectural company Tytay Architects with local architect Arthur Matondo acting as liaison, on-site supervision and the architect of record. Homelux Property Development are the main construction contractors ensuring that all construction is completed to the highest standards, on time and on budget. The project was started in September of this year and is expected to be ready for occupation in July/August 2021.
The complex is very safe with 24 hour gated security, so they’re ideal for couples with young families or ‘lock up and go’ options for residents who travel a lot.
Construction at 52 Ascot Road was also started in September this year and is expected to be ready for occupation in May/June 2021.
The project was designed by the South African architectural firm 4D Innovative Development Consultants with Arthur Matondo once again acting as the local liaison, site supervisor and architect of record with Homelux Property Development as the main contractor.
There will be a total of 22 units available arranged in two double storey blocks. One block will contain 14 apartments with the type 1 layout option and the second block will contain a further 8 apartments with the type 2 layout option. The main difference will be that type 1 has a narrower but deeper configuration while type 2 has a more linear spread and a slightly larger master suite with a walk in dressing room. Although the blocks are double storey each apartment is contained on single floor – like Knightsbridge they’re not duplex apartments. The ground floor apartments will have a small garden while the top floor apartments have balconies.
Both type 1 and 2 apartments will have two bedrooms and two bathrooms – one bathroom en suite – and an open plan kitchen and living space. The kitchens are once again designed by Design Café to the most modern specifications in neutral colours of white and grey.
Both of the apartment’s bathrooms are fitted out in two tone colour scheme with grey floor tiles, white wall tiles and contemporary sanitary ware.
The apartments have ceramic floor tiles throughout for easy cleaning and maintenance, while a feature wall of exposed brick and wood-finish built in cupboards add warmth, texture and interest.
Although slightly more modest than Knightsbridge Road these apartment are finished to the highest standards. They’re cool and elegant and ideally suited to a young working couple, a professional single or as a starter home to get on the property ladder. They’d also be perfect for a retired couple looking to downsize and still enjoy having a neighbourly community around them. The apartments will be a great investment for Zimbabweans in the diaspora looking to invest in a future home or a rental property.
Like Knightsbridge Road, Ascot Road has excellent 24 hour gated security and each apartment comes with parking for two cars.
From: S&D ISSUE 35
