The Centaurus

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 five-storey shopping mall.Designed by British architectural firm WS Atkins, it consists of three skyscrapers, containing corporate offices, residential apartments, and a hotel. Centaurus Mövenpick Hotel is under-construction and is expected to open in the first quarter of 2018.The estimated cost for building the complex was $350 million USD. The Centaurus Mall is four-storeys tall and comprises around 250 shops. Major tenants include Al-Fatah Store, Scentsation, Khaadi, Gul Ahmed, Charles & Keith, Junaid Jamshed, Hush Puppies, Sputnik Footwear, Nike, Hub Jafferjees and International Watch Company.Charging Entry fee controversyIn 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, 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.