An ultra-rare, mixed-use freehold asset in the heart of Stone Town’s UNESCO zone offering a commercial café on the ground floor, a spacious 3-bedroom residence above, and a rooftop terrace with panoramic views.
Welcome to a heritage-aligned mixed-use property positioned in the prestigious Shangani district of Stone Town, where culture, commerce, and coastal lifestyle intersect. Opportunities of this scale, configuration, and legal structure within the UNESCO-protected zone are exceptionally scarce.
This property is purpose-built for flexibility: income on the ground floor, lifestyle above, and future-forward potential on the rooftop.
Property Overview
-
Type: Mixed-Use (Commercial + Residential)
-
Location: Shangani Street, Stone Town – UNESCO World Heritage Zone
-
Ownership: Private freehold (local company structure)
-
Total Built Area: 471.9 m²
-
Gross Living Area: 322.4 m²
-
Rooftop Terrace: 149.5 m²
-
-
Air-conditioned throughout
Configuration & Layout
Ground Floor – Commercial Café
-
Fully fitted café space (tenant-owned fit-out)
-
High visibility within a heavy tourist foot-traffic corridor
-
Ideal for café, concept store, gallery, or private members’ lounge
First Floor – Residential Apartment
-
Spacious 3-bedroom apartment
-
2 bathrooms
-
Generous proportions rarely found in Stone Town
-
Suitable for private residence, serviced apartment, or boutique guesthouse conversion
Rooftop Terrace – 149.5 m²
An extraordinary feature in Stone Town.
Perfectly suited for:
-
Rooftop dining or sunset lounge
-
Café or hospitality extension
-
Private garden or entertaining space
-
Members-only indoor/outdoor club concept
Why This Property Stands Out
UNESCO Heritage Zone Rarity
Ownership opportunities within Stone Town’s protected core are limited and tightly regulated, preserving long-term value and cultural integrity.
True Mixed-Use Flexibility
Live above. Earn below. Or reimagine the entire asset as:
-
Café + boutique guesthouse
-
Creative hub + residence
-
Gallery, studio, or hospitality concept
Rooftop Value
Large, usable rooftop terraces are among the rarest features in Stone Town — and among the most profitable when activated correctly.
Authentic Architecture
The building aligns with heritage guidelines while allowing thoughtful modernization, making it both compliant and commercially viable.
Compelling Investment Case
-
Strong demand for cafés, short-lets, and boutique hospitality
-
High tourist density year-round
-
Limited comparable stock entering the market
Price Advantage
At USD 425,000, this represents one of the best-value large freehold mixed-use assets currently available in Stone Town.
Prime Shangani Micro-Location
Set within one of Stone Town’s most desirable tourism and hospitality clusters, Zanjan House sits moments from:
-
Tippu Tip’s House & Museum – 1 min
-
6 Degrees South, Al Johari Hotel & Spa – 1 min
-
Park Hyatt Zanzibar & Serena Hotel – 3 mins
-
Africa House Garden & Sunset Viewpoint – 3 mins
-
Forodhani Gardens & Old Fort – 5 mins
-
Shangani Beachfront – 1–2 mins
The property lies directly along a high-footfall movement corridor linking Shangani Street, Kenyatta Road, and key heritage alleys — ensuring constant visibility, walkability, and commercial energy.
Ideal Buyer Profiles
-
Lifestyle Investors seeking residence plus income
-
Boutique Hospitality Operators with vision
-
Heritage Property Collectors who understand scarcity
-
Commercial Owners targeting long-term rental returns
-
Private Club or Members-Only Concepts