Property developer WestProp Holdings has unveiled its Chivhu Eco City project, a 5 000-hectare development expected to deliver about 20 000 residential properties and redefine the balance between rural charm and urban living.
Thirty-year mortgages will be available to qualifying prospective homeowners — the longest payment terms currently offered in Zimbabwe’s property sector.
The project is expected to transform Chivhu into a major residential and investment hub while helping to ease housing pressure in Harare, offering more affordable property options within commuting distance of the capital and supporting the government’s push to develop new urban growth centres.
The first phase of the project, code-named the Founders’ Phase, comprises 2 400 stands and is already on sale, attracting significant interest from potential buyers.
The development aligns with the national growth strategy that promotes investment in emerging growth centres to stimulate industry and services.
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“This is a limited release designed to reward those who stand with us first,” said acting chief marketing and sales officer Collin Zvenhamo.
Designed around the “live, work, shop and play” model, the new city aims to integrate lifestyle, commerce and community into a single ecosystem.
“Chivhu Eco City is our next smart lifestyle estate located approximately 150 km from Harare, along the Harare-to-Masvingo corridor. It will be attached to a game reserve, making it a recreation-backed estate,” Zvenhamo said.
Chivhu is considered one of Zimbabwe’s emerging “half cities”, positioning it as a potential investment hub for strategic development, tourism and community building.
It sits at a strategic road nexus linking major cities such as Masvingo, Mutare, Gweru, Bulawayo and Harare, and also lies along a key route to South Africa.
To escape Harare’s rising cost of living, some workers have begun commuting daily from Chivhu — a surprising yet practical option. During peak hours, travel time between Chivhu and Harare is comparable to commutes from Chitungwiza or Norton, making it an attractive alternative for those seeking affordability without sacrificing access to the capital.
Located roughly midway between Harare and Masvingo along the A4 highway, Chivhu has long served as a natural rest point for travellers moving between the capital and the southern city.
The town currently has just over 21 000 developed residential properties, with demand continuing to grow due to new business activity, including mining developments such as Dinson Iron and Steel Company and expanding alluvial gold operations in surrounding areas.
Speaking on the company’s strategy, Ken Sharpe, chief executive officer of WestProp Holdings, said the project complements the firm’s existing developments.
“The project is designed to coexist with our established brands such as Millennium City, Pomona City, and The Hills Luxury Golf Estate. While maintaining our hallmark of luxury and quality, Chivhu Eco City emphasises affordability,” he said.
Sharpe highlighted the company’s evolving financing model.
“When we launched Pomona City, we were the first in the country to offer 10-year mortgages. With Chivhu, we are going further by offering 30-year mortgages — the longest payment terms possible in Zimbabwe today. This makes property ownership more affordable and allows homeowners to channel additional funds into building their homes.”
Beyond housing, Chivhu Eco City is expected to become a lifestyle and investment hub. Planned amenities include a Big Five game farm, a nature reserve and an educational institution, potentially a university.
These features are expected to stimulate both local investment and national industry interest.
Drawing from lessons learned in previous developments, WestProp aims to balance density with green space.
“At The Hills, we achieved more than 80% green space, while Pomona City — a higher-density suburb — still offers about 50% open areas. We want to replicate that balance in Chivhu by increasing density without compromising comfort, through abundant green spaces,” Sharpe said.
The project is currently in the planning phase, with WestProp working closely with town planners, architects and designers. The company expects to finalise designs by the end of the quarter, with groundbreaking scheduled before July.
“We see immense opportunities in Chivhu — not only for residents and investors, but also for the broader economy. Industry will be excited about what we’re bringing,” Sharpe said.
