The Centaurus Explained

The Centaurus
Native Name:سَینٹورس
Status:completed
Address:One Jinnah Avenue, Sector F-8, Islamabad-44220, Pakistan
Coordinates:33.7077°N 73.0499°W
Start Date:2006
Completion Date:2015
Architect:Atkins
Cost:PKR 15 billion
Owner:Sardar Tanveer Ilyas and Sardar Yasir Ilyas
Floor Count:26[1]
Public Transit:PIMS Metrobus Station
Current Tenants:Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts
Opening:17 February 2013
Room Count:500
Developer:Pak Gulf Construction, Al Mahad Group of Companies (Saudi Arabia) and Sardar Builders

The Centaurus is a mixed use real estate development in the city of Islamabad, Pakistan. The project includes a 36-floor hotel, three 23-floor residential and office towers, and a four-floor shopping mall.[2]

Construction

Designed by British architectural firm WS Atkins, it consists of a four-story shopping mall, a five-star hotel, two residential towers, a corporate tower, three skyscrapers containing corporate offices, residential apartments, and a hotel.[3] [4] Centaurus Mövenpick Hotel is under construction and was expected to open in the first quarter of 2018.[5] In 2021 it was expected to open in late 2022.[6]

The estimated cost for building the complex was US$5 million.[7] The Centaurus Mall has four levels and comprises more than 250 shops.[8] [9]

Entertainment

The Centaurus Mall entertains in the form of a play area for children, known as "Fun City",[10] and a cineplex,[11] which shows recently-released Lollywood and Hollywood movies.

Food court

The food court offers several local as well as international fast food chains.[12]

Entry fee controversy

In what it called a move to avoid ‘over-crowding’, Centaurus Mall in a public notice said visitors will have to buy a coupon to enter the mall, which is adjustable against shopping at the mall on the same day. The public notice listed 23 types of people who will not have to purchase the entry coupons. Those exempted include all women and children under 12, senior citizens, lawmakers and executives, diplomats and foreigners, journalists, and lawyers, members of country clubs, registered engineers, doctors, and teachers. Further, the notice said, “famous players of hockey, cricket, football and golf” and “celebrities” do not have to purchase the entry coupon.[13]

October 2022 fire

The shopping center at the Centaurus Mall caught fire on 9 October 2022. The Capital Development Authority claimed the fire to be under control after two hours of response. The shopping center and nearby residential structures were closed for an audit to be made on their structural integrity.[14] [15] [16]

The fire broke out in the Monal restaurant and was reported around 4 pm.[17] The efforts of firefighters extinguished the fire preventing extensive damage to the interior. Navy and Air Force personnel also took part in cooling the building.[18] [19] [20]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Centaurus . SkyscraperPage.com . 21 September 2023.
  2. Web site: Eastern Star. Atkinsglobal.com. 2016-06-10.
  3. News: Movenpick Hotels set to expand Pakistan operations HotelierMiddleEast.com. Pereira. Nikhil. HotelierMiddleEast.com. 2017-02-26.
  4. Web site: Mövenpick Hotel Centaurus Islamabad to open in 2018. Rustourismnews.com. Tore. Iuliia. 9 October 2015 . 2017-02-26.
  5. Web site: Federal capital to have Movenpick Hotel. Thenews.com.pk. en. 2017-03-03.
  6. Web site: Hill . Lauren Jade . 2021-05-23 . Project in focus: Mövenpick Hotel Centaurus Islamabad . 2024-06-04 . THP News . en-US.
  7. Web site: Centaurus Tower faces uncertain future . Dawn (newspaper). 14 September 2010 . 26 November 2011 . Ali Teepu, Imran.
  8. Web site: 2013-02-17 . Centaurus soft launch: City's first 'authentic' shopping mall opens its doors . 2022-02-26 . The Express Tribune . en.
  9. Web site: The Centaurus Mall . 2022-02-26 . thecentaurusmall.com.
  10. Web site: The Centaurus Mall. thecentaurusmall.com. 2019-07-10.
  11. Web site: ME Cinemas . 2022-02-26 . mecinemas.com.
  12. Web site: Chefling Tales Guide to Eating at Centaurus Food Court, Islamabad. Chefling Tales. cheflingtales.com. 2019-07-11.
  13. News: Islamabad's Centaurus Mall starts charging Rs100 entry fee, but only from a select few . The Express Tribune. 4 July 2015. 18 September 2017.
  14. News: 2022-10-09 . Centaurus Mall fire: Large blaze at Islamabad mall put out . en-GB . BBC News . 2022-10-09.
  15. Web site: 2022-10-09 . Massive fire breaks out at Centaurus Mall in Pakistan's Islamabad Videos . 2022-10-09 . Hindustan Times . en.
  16. Web site: 2022-10-09 . Islamabad's Centaurus Mall fire brought under control . 2022-10-09 . The Express Tribune . en.
  17. Web site: major fire erupts at crowded shopping mall in pakistans islamabad. Gulf news. 9 October 2022.
  18. Web site: Fire in Islamabad's Centaurus Mall 'under control': CDA. Dawn com | Shakeel. Qarar. 9 October 2022. DAWN.COM.
  19. Web site: Islamabad's Centaurus Mall fire brought under control. 9 October 2022. The Express Tribune.
  20. Web site: Islamabad's Centaurus Mall fire brought under control. Dunya News. 9 October 2022 .