WestProp Holdings has unveiled its ambitious Chivhu Eco City project, a 5,000-hectare development expected to deliver 20,000 properties and redefine the balance between rural charm and modern urban living.
The development also introduces 30-year mortgages for qualifying buyers — the longest tenure currently available in Zimbabwe — significantly improving affordability.
The first phase, dubbed the Founders’ Phase, comprises 2,400 stands and is already on sale, drawing strong interest. The project aligns with national development goals that prioritise investment in growth centres to drive industrial and service-sector expansion.
“This is a limited release designed to reward those who stand with us first,” said Acting Chief Marketing and Sales Officer, Collin Zvenhamo.
Built around a “live, work, shop, and play” model, the eco city aims to integrate lifestyle, commerce, and community into a single, cohesive environment.
“Chivhu Eco City is our next smart lifestyle estate, located about 150km from Harare along the Harare–Masvingo corridor. It will be attached to a game reserve, making it a recreation-backed estate,” Zvenhamo said.
Chivhu’s strategic location strengthens its investment appeal. Positioned at key road junctions linking Masvingo, Mutare, Gweru, Bulawayo and Harare — and along a major route to South Africa — the town is emerging as a critical growth node.
Rising living costs in Harare have also driven a shift, with some workers opting to commute daily from Chivhu. Peak-hour travel times are now comparable to those from Chitungwiza or Norton, making Chivhu a practical and affordable alternative.
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Situated along the A4 highway between Harare and Masvingo, Chivhu also serves as a natural transit hub. The town currently has just over 21,000 developed residential properties, with demand steadily increasing, fuelled by new business activity, including operations at the nearby Dinson-owned Manhize steel plant and surrounding alluvial gold mining ventures.
WestProp CEO Ken Sharpe said the project complements the company’s existing portfolio — including Millennium City, Pomona City, and The Hills — while placing greater emphasis on affordability without compromising quality.
“When we launched Pomona City, we introduced 10-year mortgages. With Chivhu, we are extending that to 30 years, making homeownership more accessible and allowing buyers to invest more into building,” he said.
Beyond residential development, Chivhu Eco City is designed as a lifestyle and economic hub. Plans include a Big Five game farm, a nature reserve, and an educational institution, potentially a university — all aimed at stimulating local investment and broader economic activity.
WestProp also intends to replicate its green-space-driven approach. “At The Hills, we achieved over 80% green space, while Pomona City maintains around 50%. In Chivhu, we want to balance density with comfort by preserving abundant open areas,” Sharpe said.
The project is currently in the planning phase, with collaboration underway between town planners, architects, and designers. Final designs are expected by the end of the quarter, with groundbreaking scheduled before July.
“We see immense opportunities in Chivhu — not just for residents and investors, but for the wider economy. Industry will be excited about what we’re bringing,” Sharpe said.
