By Simba Matake
The City of Harare has embarked on a refurbishment exercise at Cleveland House, a historic municipal building constructed in 1956, as part of broader efforts to restore and improve the appearance of its properties.
The building, located at the corner of Leopold Takawira Street and Speke Avenue, houses the City’s Departments of Works and Urban Planning, making it a key centre for municipal administration and service delivery.
In an update, the City of Harare said Cleveland House was undergoing repainting and refurbishment, with the building already receiving a fresh coat of grey paint.
The municipality said the exercise formed part of a wider programme to rehabilitate its properties after identifying 465 buildings as dilapidated.
“Cleveland House, built in 1956, is a key municipal building housing the Departments of Works and Urban Planning, the heart of service delivery,” the City said.
The building was reportedly constructed by prominent builder M.E. Cleveland at a cost of £11,000 during the colonial-era Salisbury administration.
It was subsequently named after Cleveland in recognition of his contribution to construction projects in the then Salisbury, including a dam built to the east of the city in 1913.
The City said the refurbishment works would not disrupt normal operations, assuring residents and other stakeholders that municipal services would remain accessible throughout the exercise.
“Whilst all the works are ongoing, there is no disruption to services. Stakeholders are advised, for now and until further notice, to use the pedestrian entrance to the building on Cameroon Street for all their regular services,” the municipality said.
The City of Harare added that the painting and refurbishment programme would extend to other municipal buildings identified for rehabilitation.
The initiative comes as the local authority seeks to improve the condition and appearance of its infrastructure while strengthening the environment in which municipal services are delivered.
The municipality reaffirmed its commitment to its vision of building a modern and efficient capital city under the slogan: “Be The Sunshine Towards A World Class City.”