A new shopping complex, The Marondera Megawatt Shopping Mall, has opened its doors in Marondera, bringing with it a wave of excitement and economic activity to the town. The shopping centre is a development implemented by the Board of Trustees of the Zimbabwe Electricity Industry Pension Fund (ZEIPF) and ZESA Staff Pension Fund. The investment return at 10 percent per annum in USD terms is expected to boost the value of pension accounts and preserve value for members and pensioners.
The Megawatt project, designed by ERC Urban Design Consultants and managed by the ZEIPF Projects Management Team comprises 6 200 square metres of lettable space hosting a blend of retail, dining, medical and utility options. Overall, the complex spans approximately 10 000 square metres bordered by 4th Street, Oak Street, and the busy Harare to Mutare highway.
Before the start of construction in October 2021, ZEIPF only had a small parcel of land in that area of Marondera measuring less than 2,500 square metres. Various shop operators approached ZEIPF following the Fund’s ‘expression of interest’ seeking a partner to develop the land. ERC Urban Consultants incidentally proposed to the Pension Funds a comprehensive plan to acquire the surrounding property, raze the existing structures, and construct new, state-of-the-art infrastructure.
ZEIPF and ZESA Staff Pension Fund took a mixed-use approach to the tenant combination as the complex has ground-floor retail stores and first-floor offices, dental surgery and boutique stores. Leading Zimbabwean retailer Bon Marche, Bhola Hardware and the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) are the anchor tenants.
The Megawatt shopping complex also features a twin drive-thru lane for Innscor’s Chicken Inn restaurant and Surrey Pies. In addition, Chicken Inn and Surrey Deli offer walk-in as well as dine-in options. The twin drive-thru will offer convenience for a variety of people, including locals, those in transit, and those who want a private life.
Medicines dispenser Whitecross Pharmacy complete with a quiet room adds to the tenant mix occupying the complex. The complex also has a medical centre planned for the future.
Another key feature is that the Megawatt building was designed to be sustainable and low-maintenance. Between 70 and 80 percent of the surfaces were clad in nature wall cladding black elephant and Madikwe, Hulabond composite cladding panels, and aerofin sun control louvres. This was introduced to minimize the cost of maintaining the property’s ambiance and façade. This means that the megawatt shopping mall should require very little repainting or upkeep, keeping maintenance costs below 3 percent year on year.
ERC urban design consultants used a variety of architectural elements to create a building that is both aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound. The use of a variety of concrete decorative geometric shapes was a way of managing the wall surface, while also adding visual interest.
The glass façade of the section that houses ZINARA’s offices will eventually be used for digital advertising, but for now, it allows natural light to filter into the building, creating a pleasant atmosphere inside.
The roof was constructed using IBR sheets and the stormwater drainage system is also designed to be sustainable. To manage stormwater drainage, underground drainage pipes carry rainwater from roof runoff into catch pits. The catch pits then direct the rainwater to the municipal stormwater drainage system.
Water is available via a dual water supply system, with both municipal and borehole water. This ensures that there is always a reliable source of water available, especially for the ablution facilities. The tanks have a storage capacity of 50,000 litres, which is enough to meet the water demand for the shopping centre even in the event of a water outage.
The security of the complex was a top priority. The use of solar lights around the building is a sustainable solution that helps to manage electricity bills. Additionally, the perimeter is clear-view fencing to allow people to see what’s happening inside, and there are traffic lights to manage vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Additionally, the possibility of a fire hazard was taken into consideration. Flame retardant and firefighting equipment, such as hydrants and sprinklers, were installed.
Landscaping of the new shopping centre included the installation of an irrigation system and replacing the Jacaranda trees that were cut down during the construction process. The new indigenous saplings and palm trees will help to create a more attractive and inviting environment for shoppers.
A decision was made to install pavers rather than standard asphalt tar because of sustainability concerns. Asphalt is prone to potholes, which are unsightly and can be a safety hazard. Paving, on the other hand, is a more permanent and long-lasting solution. Paving additionally allows for ease of maintenance where they can be removed and reinstated easily without incurring any additional costs on material.
The new shopping mall in Marondera is a welcome addition to the town’s skyline. It matches international standards and is conveniently located near the Mutare-Harare highway, making it a popular destination for shoppers, diners, and motorists seeking to renew their vehicle licenses.
Suppliers List:
Archciv
Norton Bricks
Nairet Plumbing
Plumbcon
Halsteds
Zox Trading
Drip Tech
Modern Homes
Monolith
Globerny Construction Equipment
B n S Homes Scaffolding and Formwork
Millenial Borehole Solutions
Drocker Logistics
Tile and Carpert/CAAPS Marondera
Text by Perry Kaande
Photos by Fotohaus
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