TINASHE MAKICHI
Properties firm, Kilima Investments, which is linked to property mogul Philip Chiyangwa (pictured) says the first phase of its multi-million dollar Kirkman City Commercial Park in Warren Park, Harare, is expected to be completed soon, Business Times can report.
The project is sitting on a 5.4-hectare piece of commercial land in Warren Park.
This project will comprise an upmarket shopping mall and a small to medium enterprises owner-owned industrial and commercial park.
The first phase of the project which involves putting up the shopping facility for TM/Pick n Pay, Xmart and Choppies is now at the final stages and ready for opening soon.
An SME unit for sale to SME owners will also be constructed.
“Kilima has consulted extensively and assessed various initiatives and development strategies for the project and has come up with a phased approach to the development. Kirkman City will give ample opportunity for both small traders and big brands to reap the benefits of the catchment area,” Kilima Investments said.
Kirkman City Commercial Park is located at the heart of post-independence housing developments in Warren Park, Kuwadzana, Madokero, Tynwald, Westlea, Ashdown Park Infill and Belvedere Kopje.
The total population in the environs of Kirkman Commercial Centre is estimated at 952 261 as per the 2012 census.
The total number of housing units in the area, within a radius of 15km is 237 933 with a housing unit density of four.
The land earmarked for development of this commercial park is privately owned by Kilima Investments.
“Considering that the area is a remainder of a fully developed residential area, it is economical for the company to initiate a project of economic and social benefit from this land.
“The project improves the market value of properties in the area since the construction will result in high standard upmarket designs.
“The development will also discourage the illegal use of the defunct golden quarry dumpsite. Other benefits include employment creation, payment of levies to the local authority and for the local community, it brings shopping closer to home,” Kilima Investments added.
Kilima Investments is also spearheading the construction of another shopping mall in Waterfalls — sitting on 2.7 hectares — off Masotsha Ndlovu road.
All the projects have been given the nod by the Environmental Management Authority.
South African supermarket giant Pick n Pay, which is presently on an aggressive expansion drive in Zimbabwe, has since signed a lease agreement to be an anchor tenant for both Kirkman City and the X-mart Shopping Centre.
Not only is Chiyangwa investing in malls; he is presently in the process of developing a five-star hotel along Crowhill Road.
The two-storey project, held under Chiyangwa’s Rectitude Investments, will be a boutique concept of exquisite hotels and services, financial, insurance, telecommunications and other business services.
Chiyangwa is also building a hospital at his old Alexandra Park premises, while a new Native Investments Africa Group office has been constructed.
