Meet Imran Gohar, the developer of Johari Beach Residences

Imran Gohar - The developer of Johari Beach Residences

Before any project breaks ground, there is a developer with a vision of what’s to come. At Johari Beach Residences, that man is Imran Gohar. He connected with the land long before the project concept even existed - his father invested in the site 11 years ago, giving him the opportunity to fine-tune his skills in building on beachfront land. Today, Imran is a well-recognized local builder and developer, who cares deeply about Zanzibar’s storied past and the promise of its future. 

We managed to catch him in between construction visits to talk about the incredible progress he's making with Johari Beach Residences.

Q. Your family has been building in Tanzania and Zanzibar for decades. What was it like growing up in a construction family, and how did that lead you to develop luxury resort projects in Zanzibar today?

A. Yes, my father has been in construction since the early 1990s in Tanzania, so I grew up with it. My focus from a young age was on construction. Growing up, I knew I would commit to some sort of engineering degree and then join the family business. And that's what happened. Being a contractor and developing real estate are two very different skill sets. In my mind, becoming a developer is a natural progression from being a contractor. It's what all contractors should strive for, I believe.

I took on my first construction project in Zanzibar a few years ago, it was a 36-room luxury hotel on the beach. My father had also invested in the land that Johari Beach is currently being built on 11 years ago. I used the time I had on the island and the opportunity of the beachfront land to get our first development in Zanzibar going and learn about the intricacies of developing on beachfront land. That experience has been immeasurably valuable to our process of bringing Johari Beach Residences to market so successfully.

Q. Zanzibar has a unique culture and history. How have you incorporated these elements into the design and construction of the villas/apartments?

A. The design that we have focused on with JBR leans toward the modern, while we have worked to add touches from Zanzibar throughout the development. We tried to bring the ocean into each unit as much as we could, doing our best with positioning and elevations so that everyone would get a sea view. The overall way we also want to manage the resort is with a core focus on sustainability, in how we source and use water and dispose of waste. We integrate local materials wherever possible, especially the types of materials that we know have been tried and tested in this marine environment. Sustainability often means building for the long term, which is something we have always believed in.

Q. Can you tell us about the success you've had so far with the sales of the project? What were some of the key factors that contributed to that success?

A. The initial sales process was challenging. It is our first project in Zanzibar and doing off-plan sales to many different types of buyers from all over the world, each with different questions and expectations, was certainly a challenge. We learned a lot from the process, what people want to know and what information they expect to be ready in advance. Over time we continuously improved and became more organised, and of course the details of the project got clearer and more refined. The pace and quality of the construction progress on site also helped remind people that we are a legitimate developer in Zanzibar, who wants to provide high-end beachfront properties on the island

The upside of all this was realising that we have a huge local market that is interested and has the ability to buy investment properties and second homes. The amount of interest we’ve received from people in places like Dar and Nairobi has been eye-opening and has really positively surprised us. We feel like we’re building a meaningful community, and it’s been so nice to get to know so many great new members of that community.

Q. How has the response been from potential buyers who have visited the site so far, and what have been some of their impressions?

A. The construction progress has come a long way. We are almost at the finish line with all 10 structures of the villas. When potential buyers visit the site, we have a new, recently opened sales office to welcome them. It showcases the project and gives a feel for what the finished product will look like. I think this has really helped potential buyers see the vision we have in our heads for our project. We have perfected our arrival sequence for potential buyers to ensure they know they are working with a professional developer.

I take a very hands-on approach in this regard. I have countless WhatsApp groups where I communicate with and get feedback from our prospective and existing purchasers. It’s a great way to ensure we’re seeing the project from all angles.

Q. Are there any challenges that you faced in the development, and how have you overcome them?

A. Managing the construction on site and maintaining quality while speaking to the clients and trying to give them the most value is a challenge. We have buyers buying off-plan, and as buildings come to life, there are often minor refinements. We are always looking for improvements.

But because we are the contractors and the developers at the same time, we have full control of the final product the clients will get when the project is completed. It’s a great asset and strategic advantage.

Q. What’s next for Imran? What are your company goals for the coming years?

A. We can see that there is an ever-increasing demand for high-quality real estate in Zanzibar. I want to offer more beachfront properties on the island. Explore a new part of the coast. A development in Nungwi or Paje would be great. My plan is to focus on development full-time, utilising our local knowledge and construction expertise to bring impressive and unique projects to market. We have a few projects in motion behind the scenes and hopefully, I’ll be able to tell you more about these soon!

If you need more insight on how to become a part of this project, you can learn more about investing with Johari Developers here.