Anthony Havelock (Head of Agency, Knight Frank), Vishal Pindoria (Developer) & Essam Sakr (Chief Operating Officer. Choppies) (Photo/Brian Itava/hivisasa.com)
Signature Mall, a new mixed-use development on Mombasa Road, is set to open in early 2018 with a view to catering to the surrounding neighbourhoods in Nairobi’s southern outskirts which are currently underserved with formal shopping centre developments.
Construction of the development began in January 2016 at an estimated cost of US$11 million (Sh1.14 billion), funded through a mix of debt and equity. Signature Mall delivers into the market a Gross Lettable Area of 259,300 square feet of high quality space that will host over 100 occupiers including shops, offices and a hotel.
The mall has been developed by Canon Aluminium Fabricators Ltd. Its primary catchment will be the fast-growing population and rich demographics of Syokimau, Mlolongo, Athi River and Kitengela areas in Machakos and Kajiado counties. In addition, it will serve the hotel’s clientele and transit shoppers on Mombasa Road, together with transport hubs such as the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and the newly opened SGR Nairobi terminus.
Vishal Pindoria, Managing Director at Canon Aluminium Fabricators Ltd, said: “Signature Mall will offer an upscale consumer experience to shoppers by bringing local and international brands as well as leisure facilities to their doorsteps. As opposed to being purely retail-oriented, this is a high quality mixed-use development and incorporates small office spaces and a three-star hotel.”
Pindoria said the development presents a first-mover advantage for the brands that will open shop there. The mall is expected to record highly localised demand from the growing urban population in neighbouring residential areas.
Signature Mall initially expects to serve 3,500-4,500 customers daily, with footfall anticipated to rise to at least 6,000 shoppers per day. The mall is targeting an occupancy rate of 60-65% by the time it officially opens to the public next year.
The mall will host a mix of local and international retailers, a diverse food court, a children’s entertainment zone and a health centre. Amenities in the mall include a state-of-the-art fire detection and fire-fighting system, surveillance systems and 24-hour security personnel. The mall will have adequate parking for over 600 vehicles in the basement and outdoors, adding to shopper’s convenience. The developer has also built a 300-metre deceleration and acceleration ramp.