Hilton Hotel construction set to begin in October

Published: 10 June 2013

Construction of the US$160 million Hilton Hotel and office complex along Samora Machel Avenue in Eastlea is set to begin in October, Harare town clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi has said.

The development that has been touted as the Melrose Arch of Zimbabwe because of its similarity in terms of size and beauty to the one in Johannesburg, South Africa, comes with a 12 storey - 275 bed hotel, three office complexes and residential apartments.

"As a city we are very excited that such a brand is coming to Zimbabwe. We will do all we can to ensure that the project is a success," he said.

The city has in previous deals been accused of putting spanners by demanding huge selling prices that frustrate investors and make projects more expensive. In some cases land for commercial purposes is priced beyond market prices while approvals to start construction are delayed at the expense of the investor.

Dr Mahachi said it was the duty of the local authority to promote investors by according them concessionary prices when they buy land for such huge projects that not only create employment but raise the profile of the city and country.

He was responding to a question on whether council would charge open market rates for the land. The hotel would be built along Samora Machel Avenue on the golf course surrounding East 24 restaurant.

The restaurant pays US$200 in rentals to council every month - a figure that will increase multifold when the hotel and its ancillary services start operating as rates would be charged based on the value of the buildings and the location of the land.

"The hotel comes with a conference centre with capacity to carry up to 600 delegates, basement car park with capacity to hold 1 000 vehicles, retail shops, three office blocks, eateries and residential apartments. The idea is to make it a destination to be," he said.

Dr Mahachi said some local investors - Streamwalk Arcade - had managed to convince the American headquartered hotel brand to invest in Zimbabwe.

He said the ground breaking ceremony would be held in October with construction expected to begin immediately.

He said construction would be complete by 2016. The American investors are meeting their Zimbabwean counterparts in Johannesburg every Tuesday to discuss progress on the ground.

The hotel site is in the area earmarked for the expansion of the central business district.

The investment confirms the status of Zimbabwe and Harare in particular as lucrative investment locations.
- allafrica