IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME

Hunter’s Moon is going to be a new destination hotspot for hanging out in Harare. Design//Life had a sneak preview of the work in progress
Photographs by Simon de Swardt

How many times have you heard the phrase, “It’s not the destination, but the journey that matters”? It’s a saying that can provoke varying degrees of annoyance depending on the length of your car journey and how many times your kids have asked, “Are we nearly there yet?” But it’s absolutely the right thing to say about the construction of Hunter’s Moon Estate, the new shopping complex at the bottom of Ridgeway North in Harare.

The words “shopping complex” can conjure all sorts of images of soulless grey concrete buildings, airless boxes of bright lights, terrible music and staff who’d rather be anywhere else but there. But Hunter’s Moon is going to be very, very different.

Set on almost two acres of prime Highlands real estate, the heart of the project is a beautiful old house that is being lovingly restored and converted into a restaurant. Its verandah, which overlooks the lush lawns, will be the perfect spot for sundowners – the Hunter’s Moon gin bar and wine store providing a wide selection to suit every taste. Around the house will be 15 independent shops selling everything from kids’ toys to handmade leather goods, as well as a farm shop stocking fresh fruit and vegetables.

Pete Morrisby – who, along with his wife Louise, is in charge of the building project – has great plans for the Hunter’s Moon plot. The mature bamboo forest in the centre of the garden is a wonderful feature; and a dedicated kids’ area will keep children entertained in between their multiple visits to the on-site ice cream parlour. Grown-ups will then have ample time to shop, sit or sip in peace – or wander round the art gallery after an energetic weights session at the next-door Jungle Gym – if they’re so inclined.

“We want the Hunter’s Moon Estate to encourage and support the community spirit,” says Pete. “We’re hoping that this will be a place for people to stop off for a coffee or a meal, or to meet their friends for a relaxing glass of wine and some tapas in the evening. It’s somewhere to come and enjoy the best of life in Zimbabwe,” he says.
And there will be so much to enjoy here. We can’t wait.

Hunter’s Moon will be opening in June. 3 Ridgeway North, Harare.

Pete Morrisby (above) is in charge of the Hunter’s Moon project. ‘We hope that this will be a place for people to come to enjoy the best of Zimbabwe,’ he says

As well as a restaurant, the new Hunter’s Moon complex will have 15 independent shops as well as a gin bar, farm shop and wine store. Jungle Gym (below) is just next door, too