Boutique Shopping Mall

Opens in Highlands with outstanding eco-friendly credentials.

The upmarket shopping complex at 68 Ridgeway North in Highlands, Harare recently opened after the area was rezoned from residential use to allow for mixed use developments.

The property originally belonged to the Owen-Graham family until it was bought by Charles and Frances Pickering over two decades ago in 2000. There was an old English country cottage styled building in the one corner of the property but the rest of the one-acre stand was undeveloped apart from a forest of cyprus and saligna trees. The cottage had apparently been originally built over 100 years ago as an art studio for Mrs Prudence Owen-Graham, hence the low windows to let in indirect light when she was painting. Over the years it’s been used as a residence as well as for offices.

When the Pickerings decided to develop the property they were determined to keep the old house intact. With the help from planning expert Margaret Haslett the Pickerings came up with a scheme to keep the original house and transform it into a restaurant, as well as to develop a number of retail outlets set off to one side for the convenience of residents in the surrounding suburbs of Highlands, Borrowdale and Ballantyne Park. There were already a number of other mixed use properties in the area and more are being developed in the area making it increasingly more commercial and attractive for investors. Right from the start the owners wanted to provide something different for tenants and shoppers. They wanted there to be an emphasis on sustainability and greener energy and a more environmentally friendly project. The development functions totally off grid utilising an advanced solar power micro-grid set up and smart energy use. The sophisticated system was designed and installed by local companies Innotech Solar and NeedEnergy.

There are also intelligent smart water meters, a borehole, 60,000 litre water storage and the provision to install rain water harvesting in the near future.

The hair salon and restaurant both have been fitted with heat pumps to provide economic hot water.

There are a total of 11 carefully selected tenants – excluding the restaurant – in various sized shops. Among the tenants there’s Cutting Edge Hair Studio, Aesthetic Solutions Health and Beauty Spa, the exclusive Faye Marsh Jewellers, and a number of clothing shops.

There’s Sue’s Bakery and Delicatessen (they have their own on-site bakery) and there’s Elements Real Coffee in a sort of pop up caravan in the parking area. For exclusive home décor and accessories, there’s Blinds and Designs and Nguni and Company for beautiful Zimbabwean and African flavoured décor, ceramics and gifts.

Most of the complex is single storey with expansive glass shop fronts and extra high roofs to create more interior space. The interior ceilings are 3.6 metres high so the volumes feel generous. There’s a small double storey section that has shops on the ground floor and a multifunctional open space above that can be used as a conference or meeting room or for hosting events.

Additional buildings include a security guard house at the main entrance, accommodation for the caretaker and a dedicated server room, yet to be commissioned.

The project was planned by a local design studio with input from the Pickerings as well as various development partners from Europe and Australia.

Supplier’s List

Mirko Tucakov - Architect

Godffrey – Engineer

Skyline Project Management

Josmuch Investments (Pvt) Ltd

Grapnote

Beta Bricks

Union Hardware

Pomona Quarries

Makanaka Fire Systems

Construction took around 10 months with most shops opening at the end of last year or early this year. The designer has included vertical green walls, set in organically shaped hexagonal bed, which will in time be covered with creepers, in keeping with the eco-friendly ethos of the complex. There’s a small section of green lawn across the shop fronts and a row of mature palm trees. The palms were relocated from the property and replanted at the Pickerings’ house to await their final destination at the complex. Wherever possible existing trees were retained. The landscaping was done by Frances Pickering, Caroline Kapinenga and Di Bentley. There’s paved parking in front for shoppers and additional parking at the back for the tenants.

The original cottage has now become an English styled gastro pub restaurant with seating and a bar inside and additional seating in the front pub garden. It goes by the rather quirky name ‘The Bishop’s Mistress’ and is run by Chef Dean Jones. Chef Dean has had loads of experience at upmarket restaurants in South Africa as well as being the executive chef for Wild Horizons in Victoria Falls.

The place has been elegantly decorated inside and oozes warmth, charm and character. Little was done structurally to the house but a new, modern kitchen was added at the back that’s been designed to fit in with the original structure.

The original toilets could only be accessed from outside so they’ve been turned around so that there is now interior access. What was previously used as an office has now become the well-stocked, cosy bar.

The restaurant gets very busy most days so it’s best to book on 0775 520 874.

Years Ahead In Delivering Quality Products and Exceptional Service