Parts of our building have a rich history that dates back over 150 years, providing glimpses of the past through exposed walls, arches, and most notably, the remarkable Fatimid style Coptic architecture arch work, which is unique to this building.
Originally built with sandstone, the structure of the building has been admired for its architectural style, both in its previous life and now as a traditional boutique hotel that was once the cherished home of the Jafferji Family.
In 1912, Walliji Dossaji and his family purchased the building and completed its construction. Later, it was sold to Karimjee Jivanjee, and in 1945, Karimjee Jivanjee passed it on to Javed Jafferji’s grandfather, Hassan Bhai Jafferji. Hassan Bhai Jafferji, hailing from the town of Anjaar in Kutch, India, arrived in Zanzibar in the early 1900s.
The Jafferji family has a lineage rooted in the merchant trade, initially dealing in cutlery in India before venturing into the hardware business. When Hassan Bhai Jafferji acquired the property in 1945, he did so with limited financial means, paying for the house in instalments. He always cherished the privilege of being entrusted with the opportunity to purchase the building.
In 1964, following the revolution, numerous buildings were nationalized. Fortunately, the Jafferji family discovered that their home was not included in the list and thus remained in their possession, preserving their heritage.
In 1993, Javed Jafferji established the Zanzibar Gallery, a souvenir boutique shop, on the ground floor of the building. He continued to reside in the building with his family until 2008. Motivated by a dream to create a hospitality hub in Zanzibar, Javed dedicated four years of unwavering commitment to transforming his home into a fully restored luxury boutique hotel. Thus, Jafferji House was born in 2012 and has been operating successfully ever since.
Jafferji House proudly carries a rich history that spans over a century, and its prestige has only grown since its establishment a decade ago. We invite you to immerse yourself in the story and heritage of our remarkable building as you experience the exceptional hospitality we offer.
As custodians of this heritage, we strive to provide a truly remarkable and memorable experience during your stay at Jafferji House.
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