WestProp Holdings has broken ground on Chivhu Eco City, a mixed-use development designed to function as a self-sustaining urban hub in central Zimbabwe.
By branding the project a “Gateway City,” the developer aims to establish a transit-oriented center linking major economic regions, marking a distinct departure from its traditional focus on the Harare property market.
According to AllAfrica, the move into central Zimbabwe is a response to rising demand for investment opportunities outside the capital, where the company has historically concentrated its portfolio.
“We decided to look at something different, something no one has done before, to choose a location that is strategic, central, but lacks development, and that location is Chivhu,” said Ken Sharpe, Chief Executive Officer of WestProp Holdings.
The master plan for the site encompasses a blend of residential neighborhoods, commercial precincts, and recreational facilities. To differentiate the project, WestProp is introducing 30-year mortgage terms for purchasers—the longest payment window currently available in the country.
The site’s inaugural infrastructure project, the town’s first luxury apartment complex, is already central to the developer’s marketing strategy.
“We are happy to be expanding. We have previously concentrated our developments in Harare but due to demand and calls for outward growth, we have decided to make Chivhu our immediate target,” Sharpe said.
On-site, crews are currently clearing and laying primary access roads to connect the planned zones. The company reports that the "Founders Phase" of development is attracting many buyers, with property sales moving rapidly as investors seek to secure holdings before anticipated price shifts and further infrastructure rollouts.
Beyond the urban footprint, the project includes an environmental mandate to integrate residential life with nature. The design features extensive green spaces and the creation of a private game reserve, intended to allow the town to coexist with indigenous wildlife.
“Chivhu Eco City is not just building homes. It is building the gateway to Zimbabwe’s next chapter of growth,” said Sharpe.
