Was it truly just vegetables? Henry Borrow’s vision for Borrowdale started much smaller than the prestigious suburb it is today. Borrowdale in Harare is now among Zimbabwe’s most affluent residential areas. It reflects a rich history and modern luxury.
Borrowdale’s story began with Henry Borrow. He established an estate combining residential and farming areas. This estate covered 22275 hectares of land spreading north. The land was purchased for a mere 17.5 cents per hectare. Borrow worked alongside Heany and Johnson. Together they produced vegetables and other farm products.
In 1892 Borrow built a dam on the Borrowdale Brooke river. This was the first dam in Rhodesia. It helped grow crops for the growing town. Serious flooding destroyed the dam in 1939. It had served its purpose for many years.
The United Goldfields Company acquired the area in 1897. They briefly tried livestock production. The enterprise failed and the area was developed into residential plots. This led to residential estates like Helensvale and Greystone Park.
Borrowdale became a wealthy suburb during the twentieth century. It was a wooded residential area with green spaces. Many notable people lived here. These included members of parliament and business leaders. Even former President Robert Mugabe had a home here. It was known as the Blue Roof one of the largest properties.
Today Borrowdale is known for its exclusive homes. It features gently rolling hills and the Borrowdale Brooke stream. Shops schools and recreational spots are in the southern part. Many residents own properties abroad or in rural Zimbabwe. Mazowe Valley and the Eastern Highlands are common.
You can find diverse architectural styles in Borrowdale’s houses. English Cottage Tudor Revival and Cape Dutch designs are present. Most of these homes were built between the late 1940s and 1980s. Since the late 2000s redevelopment has brought larger houses. Some new houses do not match the original scale.
The average resale house price was high in early 2018. It reached 530036 US dollars. Only Hogerty Hill and Borrowdale Brooke had higher prices in Harare.
Sam Levy’s Village and Borrowdale Brooke Centre are important commercial hubs. These areas have clothing stores gyms and restaurants. Borrowdale Brooke Golf Club and Borrowdale Country Club offer recreation. Several parks exist within Borrowdale. These include Ballantyne and Greystone Park.
Education has always been a priority in Borrowdale. Prestigious schools like St Johns College are located here. Borrowdale Race Course is a significant landmark. It hosts major events like the OK Grand Challenge.
Borrowdale offers a blend of luxury convenience and community. It stands as a testament to its historical roots and modern aspirations. From Henry Borrow’s initial estate it has evolved into a sought-after address. Its unique character and prime location make it a prestigious place to live in Harare.