LEVA Hotels to Anchor $1bn Kings City Hospitality Offering in Zimbabwe

DUBAI, UAE – LEVA Hotels has signed a management agreement to anchor the hospitality component of the $1 billion Kings City development in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, marking the brand’s fourth signed project in the country and reinforcing its expansion strategy across high-growth African markets.

The Dubai-based hospitality group will develop a 120-key, four-star hotel within the 2,100-hectare mixed-use masterplan, located approximately 8 km from Bulawayo’s Central Business District along Gwanda Road.

The agreement, signed with Radar Properties, reflects LEVA Hotels’ long-term growth strategy focused on entering emerging markets with strong fundamentals and untapped hospitality demand.

By positioning itself within Kings City, a large-scale urban development, LEVA is aligning with a next-generation destination designed to integrate residential, commercial, and lifestyle components within a single ecosystem.

This expansion strengthens LEVA’s footprint in Southern Africa, building on its growing presence in Zimbabwe and supporting its broader strategy of scaling through partnerships in culturally dynamic and high-potential markets.

Bulawayo emerges as a key hospitality opportunity

The project is located in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city and a major industrial and commercial centre with strong regional connectivity. The city also serves as a gateway to key tourism destinations including Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, and Matobo Hills.

Despite its strategic importance, Bulawayo’s hospitality sector remains relatively underdeveloped compared to primary markets such as Harare, with limited presence of internationally branded lifestyle hotels.

Growing demand driven by business travel, regional connectivity, and major events such as the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair highlights the need for integrated hospitality offerings that cater to both business and leisure travellers.

The new hotel will reflect LEVA Hotels’ design-led philosophy, combining contemporary aesthetics with functional layouts and flexible stay formats that integrate hotel and residential-style living.

Planned amenities include a signature restaurant, fitness centre, spa, and conference facilities, positioning the property as both a hospitality destination and a community hub within Kings City.

Commenting on the development, JS Anand, Founder and CEO of LEVA Hotels, said:

Following our recent entry into Harare, this greenfield project in Bulawayo marks an important step in our Southern African expansion. This project is not just about adding another hotel. It’s about being part of a destination that is evolving. Kings City creates the right ecosystem, and for us, it’s about entering at the right time with the right product.

Walter Zimunya, Managing Director of Radar Properties, added:

Kings City is designed to be a modern economic hub that redefines the urban landscape of Bulawayo. Partnering with a forward-thinking, brand like LEVA Hotels ensures that our hospitality offering aligns with the broader vision we have for this $1 billion multi-use development. We look forward to creating a landmark lifestyle destination for both residents and visitors.

Anchoring a next-generation urban ecosystem

The Kings City development is positioned as a transformative urban project, combining residential, commercial, and lifestyle components to create a new economic and social hub for the region.

LEVA Hotels’ entry into the project reflects a broader trend of hospitality brands aligning with large-scale masterplans to capture early-mover advantages in emerging markets.

By integrating design-led hospitality within a mixed-use environment, the project aims to support evolving travel patterns while contributing to the long-term development of Bulawayo as a regional destination for both business and tourism.