Beverley Hills Golf Estate, Borrowdale, Zimbabwe, a fabulous and beautiful Harare upmarket residential estate

A US$250 million housing project, Beverley Hills Golf Estate, Borrowdale, Harare, has been unveiled in Harare's Borrowdale suburb, potentially unleashing vast opportunities in the country's construction sector which had been guarded by a decade-long economic crisis.

The project is being undertaken by Carey Farm Private Limited, with Interfin Bank coming in as a financier.
RE/MAX Realty Centre is the selling agency.
Indicating that the project would change the landscape of Harare and Zimbabwe, RE/MAX chief executive officer, Rutendo Rutendo, said the Beverley Hills Golf Estate was going to "unlock value to a number of industries," particularly those in the construction sector.
"One of the major highlights of the project is the upgrade of Luna Road by the project developer. This public road had become inaccessible due to its bad condition. Primarily, it's the role of the city council to fix roads but to enhance the project it was necessary to fix the road not only for the benefit of Beverley Hills residence but for the city and public at large," said Rutendo.
"The public will now be able to access Luna Road from Crowhill Road all the way to Umwinsdale. As we speak now the contractors are almost complete with the fixing and upgrade of the road," he said
He indicated that at least 310 exclusive housing units, with a price pegged at US$500 000 per unit, would be constructed under the project.
"This is a winner. It's going to benefit a number of stakeholders in the construction industry like suppliers of building products, building contractors, engineers, town planners, surveyors, civil contractors, architects, furniture suppliers and electrical contractors, among others. 
"The sector had gone for over a decade without any meaningful projects," Rutendo said.
He indicated that there would be a choice of 400 house designs by award winning architects, Nico Van Der Meulen and Francois Marais, both from South Africa.These architects will work with selected local architects on the project.
"The package is delivered by an exceptionally skilled team of architectural, building design, construction, landscaping, interior design, decor and development specialists," said Rutendo.
The Beverley Hills Golf Estate project is being developed on the remainder of lot H Borrowdale Estate, Harare in Luna Road off Crowhill after Borrowdale Brooke Golf Estate. The stands range from 1300 square metres (m²) to 2 900m² and are priced at US$50 per m².
Rutendo said the artistic style of the homes was "unique in design and encompasses spacious layouts and fine finishes whilst achieving an alluring air of grandeur".
"The four cluster housing stands, one commercial stand and a recreation park with a golf course perfects the estate," he said.
The cost of the plan and the building will be a private contract between buyers and builders of their choice.
There is also room for one to submit one's own plans which must be on par with the rest of the development to be accepted.

Source: http://www.financialgazette.co.zw

Beverley Hills Golf Estate, a fabulous and beautiful Harare upmarket residential estate
Beverley Hills Golf Estate located in Borrowdale, Harare offers the experience of luxury living. The package is delivered by an exceptionally skilled team of architectural, building design, construction, landscaping, interior design, decor and development specialists. Offering you homes that are aesthetically beautiful and an inspiration to ideal modern style. This development will be carried out at the remainder of lot H Borrowdale Estate, Harare. It is largely a residential development which offers a variety of highly appealing exquisite developments designed by the world\'s famous and renowned architects. Our philosophy is the creation of world class environments through an integrated approach to land planning and wherever possible, preservation of critical areas to create an ecological haven that gives our clients the world without costing them the earth.
The philosophy, without compromise has been carried through to the Beverley Hills Golf Estate development, which comprises of 310 model homes, each of the homes individually designed to ensure that our clients are assured of comfort, luxury, security and satisfaction.
The artistic style of the homes is unique in design and encompasses spacious layouts and fine finishes whilst achieving an alluring air of grandeur. The four cluster housing stands, one commercial stand and a recreation park with a golf course perfects the estate.
The development also offers a completely secure environment with a private gated entry, all round security and electrified fences.

The project is in Luna Road off Crowhill after Borrowdale Brooke Golf Estate. The stands range from 1300m² to 2900m² and are priced at $50 per m². The development is privately owned by Carey Farm (PVT) LTD and RE/MAX Realty Centre is the selling agency. Should you purchase a stand you will be automatically included into the Owners Association and will be required to sign a building contract with a contractor of your choice. RE/MAX Realty Centre will supply you with a choice from 400 house designs by some of the the world’s top Architects. The cost of the plan and the building will be a private contract between yourself and the builder of your choice. There is also room for you to submit your own plans which must be on par with the rest of the development, to be accepted.
The development is being sold in 3 Phases and Phase 1 is currently selling but you may choose a stand in future phases.

Features 1 Close Circuit TV 1 Intercom

Amenities 12 Restaurant(s) 1 Police Station(s) 1 Post Office(s) 10 Café(s) 7 Bank(s) 2 Golf Course(s) 6 Fast Food Restaurant(s) 5 Chemist(s) 6 Doctor(s)

Source: http://www.remax.co.zw

Charlene Wittstock and Prince Albert II at The Oyster Box, Umhlanga, South Africa

The Oyster Box, one of South Africa’s most lavish hotels, will host a reception for Prince Albert II of Monaco and his new bride, Charlene Wittstock, as they visit the eastern port city of Durban this week.

The five-star hotel is famous for sweeping views of the Indian Ocean and a presidential suite that lists for R50 000 a night. The royal newlyweds, who are in town for a meeting of the International Olympic Committee will be throwing a party at the seaside hotel for 400 guests on Thursday. The hotel, which opened in 1947, is famous as one of Africa’s most opulent destinations. It has hosted princes William and Harry, supermodel Naomi Campbell and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, among other notables and celebrities. Located in the resort town of Umhlanga, just north of Durban, it prides itself on its “colonial charm”, a historic lighthouse and oyster beds just offshore that supply the hotel’s renowned Oyster Bar.

Joanne Hayes, chief of public relations for the hotel, said it’s an obvious choice for an event like the royal reception. “We’re thrilled. It’s a great honour. But as far as we’re concerned, when you see the Oyster Box, there is no other choice really,” she told AFP. The Oyster Box was built in 1869 and originally served as a navigationa beacon before being converted to a hotel. It recently underwent a two-year renovation, reopening in 2009. The new owners, the Red Carnation luxury hotel group, sought to blend new furnishings and technology with the original decor of the 1940s and 50s, when the old hotel was in its heyday. Today the hotel has 86 “individually appointed” rooms and suites, including eight garden villas that each have their own plunge pool. The crown jewel is the 450-square-metre presidential suite — a two-level room served by private lift, with a private swimming pool, private study and marble his-and-hers bathrooms.

South African media have reported that the couple are staying in the suite, but the hotel is tightlipped about its guests. The Oyster Box boasts six restaurants overseen by executive chef Kevin Joseph, who trained at Michelin-starred establishments in London. It also has an all-white ballroom adorned with crystal Venetian chandeliers, an infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean and a 24-seat movie theater that can be booked for private screenings with dinner and popcorn. The royal reception is expected to spill into the various venues of the hotel, which will be reserved exclusively for invitees that night. The hotel is keeping details of the function under wraps, but Joseph says he is planning a menu that is “seasonal, with a South African touch”.

Source: AFPrelaxnews

Luxury Cape Town mansion of contemporary architectural style

Modern logical family living high up on the slopes of lion's Head with fantastic sea and mountain views. Super open plan living all flowing to huge patio and level lawned garden. Lounge dining room family room and study. Four bedrooms, three en-suite plus family bathroom. Garaging and three staff quarters or separate guest cottage. Do not delay!

Architectural style: Contemporary

A VERY RARE FIND 

R 19,900,000

Jawitz Properties Ltd.Company: +27 11 880 3550
Office: (021) 439 6080
Moira Ferber
Direct: + 27 82 822 0822 
Glenn Goldberg
Direct: + 27 83 658 3427 

Borrowdale Brooke luxury mansions, home of the Zimbabwean elite society

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Luxury Mansion of President Robert Mugabe in Borrowdale Brooke




Borrowdale Brooke mansion

The huge Borrowdale estate in north-east Harare with its steep hillsides covered with msasa trees and cut by the near ravines of the Umwindsi River and its tributaries, has always been the desired home of the "comfortably off".

Spectacular views, beautiful scenery and neighbours who are "our sort of people" provide serious attractions to those who have risen to the top of their business or profession. And now a new generation of wealthy men are moving into the estate amid an orgy of mansion building over the past decade, with builders and their earth-moving equipment a prominent sight.

But no one should plan on this suburb without some serious money. While the upper-middle income people might just be able to squeeze into Borrowdale Brooke, you will need a minimum of US$500 000 to build along "millionaires row" in Luna, Umwindsidale, Carrick Creagh and Helensvale all once sections of the huge estate.

The giant 55 000 acre Borrowdale estate was carved out by three officers of the British South Africa Company: Major Frank Johnson, Captain Maurice Heany and Captain Henry Borrow. Officers of the company column had larger land grants and the column commander and two of his company commanders decided to pool their grants. So from the beginning of Harare the estate has been reserved for the better off.

Borrow, who had the misfortune of being second-in-command to Allan Wilson on his ill-fated patrol in Matabeleland, gave his name to the estate when his surviving par tners decided it would be a pleasant memorial.

The estate was soon cut into sections and these were rented out as farms to people who Johnson and Heany liked. Helensvale was named after Helen Shaw, the new wife of the new police adjutant. Those who took Philadelphia, the Brook, Carrick Creagh, Hogerty Hill and Luna named their sections after their home towns or other associations.

The south-west corner, basically the bit between the present race course and Piers Road, was chopped off early on and subdivided into large residential plots before the First World War.

But the residential development of the rest had to wait until after World War II, and even then it was often piecemeal, the older sections being sold off as farms, then subdivided into "gentlemen's estates" which were further subdivided in time into very large plots, a process still going on.

This is why a visitor to Borrowdale will find the odd old farmhouse, or "country house" in a prime sheltered location surrounded by new buildings.

The process started with the areas accessible from Borrowdale Road and moved east, just as the almost similar development of the farm on the south of the Umwindsi River, Glen Lorne, started from Enterprise Road.

The slightly flatter Glen Lorne was more attractive to the developers of the 1950s and 1960s, hence the blocks of one acre plots on that farm.

Now the bulk of the land left for development is right in the north-east of Borrowdale estate, and the extreme hilly terrain means that plots must be large. Even the master plan for Harare recognises that sub-division will be difficult; the whole Umwindsi catchment is designated as very low-density.

Joining the "old money" a new breed of residents, buoyed by a seemingly incessant flow of money, is now transforming the face of Borrowdale.

Where you were likely to be greeted from a distance by overgrown treetops and an odd high mansion in the days of yore, now a visitor is greeted by a wave of rooftops.

But as you come close, you find that the "new money" likes its privacy as much as the "old money"; the 3m wall is almost standard.

This is the unwritten code of Borrowdale where Zimbabwe's rich and famous are spending huge amounts of cash on exquisite houses they invariably draw themselves into a cacoon of privacy.

"The people here need their privacy and they do not want to be disturbed this is why they put boom gates at every road," said one maid who declined to be named.

And it has come at a price for the residents.

For proper maintenance of the house one would need at least two maids, two gardeners and a chef, and that will set even the meanest employer back US$1 000 a month, plus the need for building a modest village in a corner of the plot to house the staff.

While mountain climbing is a pastime for some people here you need to drive as you navigate through the sharp curves and steep slopes to catch a glimpse of the breathtaking view of the new buildings.

Most of the houses are ready for occupation, others are nearing completion or at roof level while some have already been occupied.

"This is an area where you get to see the who's who in the 'money business' and some of the top politicians. As the clock strikes 6pm guys like you are not allowed to drive through," said one gardener who was busy slashing grass off the driveway.

Indeed, the neighbourhood is where you get to see the Reserve Bank Governor, Dr Gideon Gono and businessmen David Govere among others.

But some of those who own these houses are little known but they like to live in luxury. According to one property developer, a modest plot -- and the one acre is a rarety -- would cost you a whopping US$50 000 an acre and slightly around US$500 000 to complete the house.

In this part of town a borehole, pump station and an electricity generator that could power a decent factory are pretty much standard. All that fuel for the "private power station" adds to the monthly expense so even winning the lotto will not mean much; you need the income too.

A hillside swimming pool and tennis court needs a surprising amount of serious earth moving, all adding to the cost.

The reason for such huge amounts of money is that one needs to hire bulldozers, graders and other machinery to level the ground, or at least terrace a hillside to build the sections of your mansion.

The minimum you can pay is US$30 000 in this area but on average you would pay between US$50 000 to US$60 000 for just one acre and most residents want a few acres so they can spread themselves out.

Some hillside houses have to be spread out; there simply is not enough level space to build a single large mansion and the architect has to come up with several blocks of rooms on terraces.

Building costs per square metre are around US$250 to US$500 depending on the construction company, the desired finish and the need to split the house into sections.

However, cost does not equate to value as market determines the prices. But depending on the acres, features on the house such as tennis court, borehole, security wall, swimming pool and whether it is a one or two storey building determines the cost.

A total of 1 000 common bricks cost between US$50 and US$90 while the same quantity of face bricks cost US$100 to US$190. Semi-common bricks are being sold for US$40 to US$90, gutters cost US$9 per 2,4m, while ordinary door frames coast between US$24 and US$35.

Given such figures, one is able to judge whether they are able to move into these plush areas or just dream. Yes, in Zimbabwe, there are some rich men and to them these figures might just be figures as they plan and build their dream home.

Some areas of new development are still a little garish, compared to the "old money" parts of Borrowdale. But those gangs of gardeners, quite often directed by professional landscapers, are transforming the building sites and covering the 20th century farm fields with articulate gardens.

Within a decade or two the new trees, joining the surviving Msasas, will once again cover the hillsides with green; shrubs and ivy will mute the walls; and "new money" Borrowdale will become far more private and discreet, in fact as private and as discreet as "old money" Borrowdale. It will be a haven for the successful.

Cottars Mara Homestead Kenya luxury villa

The award-winning Cottars 1920s Camp are proud to share with you the opening of the private and exclusive homestead called Cottars Mara Homestead in Kenya, East Africa. The homestead borders the infamous Maasai Mara game reserve and is also one kilometre from the Tanzania Serengeti game reserve.
The house was designed by Calvin and Louise Cottar and built by hand using indigenous and eco friendly materials. The house is managed within the same area as the Cottars 1920s Camp and guests can enjoy the same levels of service and standard for which the camp in known. For those that want absolutely privacy in the Maasai Mara combined with a dedicated and discrete staff, award winning guides, and an abundance of wildlife, Cottars Mara Homestead offers the only real private luxury home in the Maasai Mara.
Cottars Mara Homestead has a breathtaking view onto the savannahs that carry the great annual wildebeest migration, and is set amidst a backdrop of the Olderekesi Hills.  Guests can enjoy privately guided game drives; night game drives and game walks, swimming and fishing. Cottars Mara Homestead can be rented only on an exclusive basis and comes with, a dedicated staff of 8.
For the discerning client, Cottars Mara Homestead offers complete privacy, with a secure and secluded road leading to the house – perfect for those who want to seclude themselves away in nature.

http://www.quintessentiallyvillas.com

Beverley Hills Golf Estate, Borrowdale, Zimbabwe, a fabulous and beautiful Harare upmarket residential estate

A US$250 million housing project, Beverley Hills Golf Estate, Borrowdale, Harare, has been unveiled in Harare's Borrowdale suburb, potentially unleashing vast opportunities in the country's construction sector which had been guarded by a decade-long economic crisis.

The project is being undertaken by Carey Farm Private Limited, with Interfin Bank coming in as a financier.
RE/MAX Realty Centre is the selling agency.
Indicating that the project would change the landscape of Harare and Zimbabwe, RE/MAX chief executive officer, Rutendo Rutendo, said the Beverley Hills Golf Estate was going to "unlock value to a number of industries," particularly those in the construction sector.
"One of the major highlights of the project is the upgrade of Luna Road by the project developer. This public road had become inaccessible due to its bad condition. Primarily, it's the role of the city council to fix roads but to enhance the project it was necessary to fix the road not only for the benefit of Beverley Hills residence but for the city and public at large," said Rutendo.
"The public will now be able to access Luna Road from Crowhill Road all the way to Umwinsdale. As we speak now the contractors are almost complete with the fixing and upgrade of the road," he said
He indicated that at least 310 exclusive housing units, with a price pegged at US$500 000 per unit, would be constructed under the project.
"This is a winner. It's going to benefit a number of stakeholders in the construction industry like suppliers of building products, building contractors, engineers, town planners, surveyors, civil contractors, architects, furniture suppliers and electrical contractors, among others. 
"The sector had gone for over a decade without any meaningful projects," Rutendo said.
He indicated that there would be a choice of 400 house designs by award winning architects, Nico Van Der Meulen and Francois Marais, both from South Africa.These architects will work with selected local architects on the project.
"The package is delivered by an exceptionally skilled team of architectural, building design, construction, landscaping, interior design, decor and development specialists," said Rutendo.
The Beverley Hills Golf Estate project is being developed on the remainder of lot H Borrowdale Estate, Harare in Luna Road off Crowhill after Borrowdale Brooke Golf Estate. The stands range from 1300 square metres (m²) to 2 900m² and are priced at US$50 per m².
Rutendo said the artistic style of the homes was "unique in design and encompasses spacious layouts and fine finishes whilst achieving an alluring air of grandeur".
"The four cluster housing stands, one commercial stand and a recreation park with a golf course perfects the estate," he said.
The cost of the plan and the building will be a private contract between buyers and builders of their choice.
There is also room for one to submit one's own plans which must be on par with the rest of the development to be accepted.

Source: http://www.financialgazette.co.zw

Beverley Hills Golf Estate, a fabulous and beautiful Harare upmarket residential estate
Beverley Hills Golf Estate located in Borrowdale, Harare offers the experience of luxury living. The package is delivered by an exceptionally skilled team of architectural, building design, construction, landscaping, interior design, decor and development specialists. Offering you homes that are aesthetically beautiful and an inspiration to ideal modern style. This development will be carried out at the remainder of lot H Borrowdale Estate, Harare. It is largely a residential development which offers a variety of highly appealing exquisite developments designed by the world\'s famous and renowned architects. Our philosophy is the creation of world class environments through an integrated approach to land planning and wherever possible, preservation of critical areas to create an ecological haven that gives our clients the world without costing them the earth.
The philosophy, without compromise has been carried through to the Beverley Hills Golf Estate development, which comprises of 310 model homes, each of the homes individually designed to ensure that our clients are assured of comfort, luxury, security and satisfaction.
The artistic style of the homes is unique in design and encompasses spacious layouts and fine finishes whilst achieving an alluring air of grandeur. The four cluster housing stands, one commercial stand and a recreation park with a golf course perfects the estate.
The development also offers a completely secure environment with a private gated entry, all round security and electrified fences.

The project is in Luna Road off Crowhill after Borrowdale Brooke Golf Estate. The stands range from 1300m² to 2900m² and are priced at $50 per m². The development is privately owned by Carey Farm (PVT) LTD and RE/MAX Realty Centre is the selling agency. Should you purchase a stand you will be automatically included into the Owners Association and will be required to sign a building contract with a contractor of your choice. RE/MAX Realty Centre will supply you with a choice from 400 house designs by some of the the world’s top Architects. The cost of the plan and the building will be a private contract between yourself and the builder of your choice. There is also room for you to submit your own plans which must be on par with the rest of the development, to be accepted.
The development is being sold in 3 Phases and Phase 1 is currently selling but you may choose a stand in future phases.

Features 1 Close Circuit TV 1 Intercom

Amenities 12 Restaurant(s) 1 Police Station(s) 1 Post Office(s) 10 Café(s) 7 Bank(s) 2 Golf Course(s) 6 Fast Food Restaurant(s) 5 Chemist(s) 6 Doctor(s)

Source: http://www.remax.co.zw